Suspended LED fixtures having adjustable cord support

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods for deployment of fixtures. The apparatus may include a system for controlling deployed fixtures. The system may receive user commands different devices in different formats. The fixtures may be independently addressable. The fixtures may be magnetically supported by a fixture support. A brace may join two or more fixture supports without reducing space available to support fixtures. The brace may join a fixture support to a fixture support accessory. An accessory may include a variable-angle junction. The fixture may include articulating joints for controlling the direction of a beam. The fixture may include a lens having an electrically controllable beam spread angle. The fixture may be stowable in the fixture support. The fixture may be slidable along a cord to adjust a height of the fixture. The fixture may include an extendable ring. The system may coordinate motions of the fixtures to follow a target. The fixture may include an elongated board. The elongated board may include a non-polar power socket.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/023,244,filed May 11, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein inits entirety. This application claims the benefit of priority under 35U.S.C. 119(a) of commonly-owned P.R.C. Utility Model Applications Nos.202021096556.2, filed Jun. 12, 2020, 202021529651.7, filed Jul. 28,2020, 202021676898.1, filed Aug. 12, 2020, 202022130240.7, filed Sep.24, 2020, and 202022130319.X, filed Sep. 24, 2020, P.R.C. InventionApplication No. 202110043839.3, filed Jan. 13, 2021, and P.R.C. UtilityModel Applications Nos. 202120090398.8, filed Jan. 13, 2021, and202120328550.1, filed Feb. 5, 2021, all of which are hereby incorporatedby reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Deployment of fixtures in architectural environments typically involvesinterrelationship of fixture layout, functionality and performancecontrol. Adapting fixture layout, functionality or performance todifferent environments, or to changes in the environment, can bedifficult.

It would therefore be desirable to provide apparatus and methods fordeployment of fixtures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent uponconsideration of the following detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencecharacters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of theinvention.

FIG. 2 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of theinvention.

FIG. 3 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of theinvention.

FIG. 4 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of theinvention.

FIG. 5 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of theinvention.

FIG. 6 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of theinvention.

FIG. 7 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of theinvention.

FIG. 8 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of theinvention.

FIG. 9 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of theinvention.

FIG. 10 is partial view “10,” approximately identified in FIG. 9 .

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 11-11 inFIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 11-11 and12-12 in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 11-11 and13-13 in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 14 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 15-15 inFIG. 13 .

FIG. 16 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 17 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 18 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 19 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 20 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 21 is part of a view taken along lines 21-21 in FIG. 20 .

FIG. 21 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 23 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 24 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 25 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 26 is part of a view taken along lines 26(1)-26(1) and 26(2)-26(2)shown in FIG. 23 .

FIG. 27 is part of a view taken along lines 27(1)-27(1) and 27(2)-27(2)shown in FIG. 23 .

FIG. 28 shows the apparatus shown in FIG. 27 from a perspective that isdifferent from that shown in FIG. 27 when the apparatus is in a statethat is different from the state shown in FIG. 27 .

FIG. 29 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 30 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 31 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 31-31 inFIG. 30 .

FIG. 32 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 33 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 34 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 35 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 36 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 37 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 38 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 39 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 40 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 41 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 42 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 42-42 inFIG. 34 .

FIG. 43 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 44 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 44(1)-44(1)and 44(2)-44(2) in FIG. 37 .

FIG. 45 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 45-45 inFIG. 37 .

FIG. 46 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 47 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 48 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 49 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 50 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 51 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 52 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 52-52 inFIG. 41 .

FIG. 53 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 53-53 inFIG. 41 .

FIG. 54 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 55 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 56 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 57 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 58 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 59 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 60 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 60-60 inFIG. 44 .

FIG. 61 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 62 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 63 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 64 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 65 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 66 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 67 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 67-67 inFIG. 44 .

FIG. 68 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 69 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 70 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 71 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 72 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 73 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 74 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 75 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 76 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 77 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 78 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 79 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 80 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 81 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 82 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 83 shows illustrative information in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 84 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 85 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 86 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 87 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 88 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 89 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 90 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 91 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 92 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 93 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 94 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 95 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 96 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 97 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 98 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe invention.

Generally, the leftmost digit (e.g., “L”) of a three-digit referencenumeral (e.g., “LRR”), and the two leftmost digits (e.g., “LL”) of afour-digit reference numeral (e.g., “LLRR”), identify the first figurein which a part is called-out.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Apparatus and methods for fixture implementations are provided.

The apparatus may include apparatus for controlling a fixture. Thefixture may include an emitter. The emitter may include a light-emittingdiode (“LED”). The fixture may include an LED circuit. The LED circuitmay include an LED driver. The fixture may be configured to providedirect light to a subject. The fixture may be configured to provideindirect light to the subject. The apparatus may include one or moredirectly configured fixtures. The apparatus may include one or moreindirectly configured fixtures. The fixture may be electronicallyaddressable. The apparatus may include a first receptacle for receivingan input power line. The apparatus may include a second receptacle forreceiving an input communication line. The apparatus may include anoutput power terminal. The apparatus may include an output communicationterminal. The apparatus may include a microprocessor. The microprocessormay be configured to regulate power delivered at the output powerterminal based on a signal received at the second receptacle. The powermay be stepped down from 120-48V. The power may be stepped down to anyother suitable voltage, such as 24, 12, 10, 5V, or any range or subrangetherein. The microprocessor may be configured to detect a power level atthe first receptacle, and regulate power delivered at the output powerterminal based on the level. The microprocessor may be configured todetect a power level at the first receptacle, and regulate powerdelivered at the output power terminal in proportion to the level.

The control signal may define a group. The group may be one of multiplegroups. The group may include one or more of the fixtures. The group maybe electronically addressable. A user may assign a fixture to a group.Directly configured fixtures may be assigned to a first group.Indirectly configured fixtures may be assigned to a second group.

The apparatus may include a user interface circuit. The user interfacecircuit may be configured to receive a control signal. The controlsignal may include a control message. The message may be addressed to afixture. The message may be addressed to a group. The message mayinclude a FIXTURE-ON instruction. The message may include a FIXTURE OFFinstruction. The message may include a DIM-LEVEL instruction. Themessage may include a correlated color temperature (“CCT”) value. Thecontrol signal may include any other suitable control message. Themessage may correspond to a fixture parameter.

The apparatus may transmit the message from the user interface circuitto the fixture. The apparatus may transmit the message from the userinterface circuit to the group. The transmission may be over a wire. Thetransmission may be wireless.

The user interface circuit may be configured to electronicallycommunicate with a remote device. The user interface circuit may beconfigured to communicate with the remote device wirelessly. The userinterface circuit may be configured to communicate with the remotedevice over wire. The user interface circuit may be configured tocommunicate with the remote device in conformance with a specificationpart set forth in IEEE 802.3, 802.11, 802.15, 802.16 or any othersuitable standard.

The apparatus may include a connecting-power unit. The apparatus mayinclude a power management housing. The connecting-power unit may bedisposed in the housing.

The user interface circuit may be disposed in the housing.

The user interface circuit may include an I/O panel. The panel mayinclude a keypad. The panel may include a display. The panel may includea touch-screen. The panel may be mounted on the housing. The panel maybe included in a package that is separate from the housing. The packagemay be wall-mountable.

The user interface circuit may include a PHY interface to providecontrol signal to output terminal.

The apparatus may include machine readable memory. The memory may beconfigured to provide instructions conforming to a control protocol. Theapparatus may include a cartridge receptacle. The receptacle may accepta cartridge. The cartridge may include instructions that conform to acontrol protocol. The control protocol may be one of multiple controlprotocols.

The microprocessor may be configured to control the fixture based on theprotocol or protocols in the cartridge. The microprocessor may beconfigured to control the fixture consistent with the protocol orprotocols in the cartridge.

The apparatus may include a first photo sensor. The first photo sensormay register a spectrum of ambient light. The ambient light may includeexterior light. The ambient light may include interior light. Themicroprocessor may be configured to coordinate a hue of the fixture withthe ambient light. The hue-coordination may be based on the spectrum.The microprocessor may be configured to update the hue as the ambientlight changes. The hue may be based on a combination of coordinatedcolor temperatures.

The apparatus may include a second photo sensor. The second photo sensormay detect a presence of a human in a space in which the track isdisposed.

The first and second photo sensors may be collocated. The first andsecond photo sensors may be integrated into a single chip. Functions ofboth the first and second photo sensors may be provided by a singlesensor device.

The code may include code configured to run on the remote device. Themicroprocessor may be configured to transmit to the remote device layoutinformation. The layout information may include a configuration of twoor more tracks or fixtures. The layout information may include locationand parameters of each fixture. The code may be configured to simulate alight scene corresponding to the layout information.

The apparatus may include a natural lighting and time module. The modulemay include a global positioning chip or take a global coordinatesinput. The module may include a clock. The module may use thecoordinates and the clock to derive, on location, natural lightavailability based on geophysical data. The module may transmit thecoordinates and time to a remote platform. The platform may derive thenatural light availability and transmit back to the module. The modulemay provide available daylight for harvesting. The module may providecircadian controls for the fixture based on the natural lightavailability.

The apparatus may include a mounting track. The mounting track maysupport the fixture. The apparatus may include a magnet. The magnet mayhold the fixture on the track. The track may include a control signalbus. The control signal bus may transmit the control signal from themicroprocessor to the fixture. The track may include a power rail. Thepower rail may transmit power from the connected power unit to theemitter. The power rail may transmit power from the connected power unitto the actuator. The power rail may transmit the control signal from themicroprocessor to the fixture. The fixture may be motorized, including,among other things, for beam angle adjustment and motion of the fixturein different directions and along different axes.

The track may be one of multiple tracks. The apparatus may include atrack connector. The connector may include an engagement feature foreach of the tracks. The engagement features may be disposed at an anglerelative to each other such that the tracks are oriented at that anglewith respect to each other. The angle may be fixed. The angle may bevariable. The angle may be selectable from predetermined discreteangles. The connector includes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more tracks.

The connector may include a power rail jumper. The power rail jumper mayconduct power from a first track to a second track.

The connector may include a control signal jumper. The control signaljumper may conduct the control signal from a first track to a secondtrack.

The track may include a mounting plane. The mounting plane may facedownward when the track is in operation. The fixture may be mountable tothe mounting plane. The mounting plane may be continuous from a firstend of the track to a second end of the track. One or both of thejumpers may be disposed above the mounting plane such that the connectordoes not interfere with placement of a fixture in a position. Theposition may be near an end of a track. The position may bridge from afirst track to a second track.

The track may include a U-channel. The U-channel may include a spine.The U-channel may include a first web that extends down from a side ofthe spine. The U-channel may include a second web that extends down froman opposite side of the spine. The first web may face the second webacross a channel. The fixture may be disposed in the channel.

The connector may include a plate. The plate may be configured forinsertion: in a first track, below (a) a first-track spine and (b) abovea first-track control signal bus and power rail; and, in a second track,below (c) a second-track spine and (d) above a second-track controlsignal bus and power rail. The plate may connect a first track and asecond track at their top sides. The plate may be a plate that does notintervene between butt-ends of first and second tracks. The plate may bea plate that does not interfere with placement of fixtures in the trackU-channels.

The fixture may include an actuator. An actuator may be configured tovertically displace an emitter. An actuator may be configured to rotatethe emitter about a vertical axis. An actuator may be configured toadjust an angle of latitude of the emitter relative to the verticalaxis. The angle of latitude may be a pitch angle. An actuator may beconfigured to adjust an offset between the emitter and a lens. Theoffset may determine the spread of a beam emitted by the emitter.

An actuator may include a motor. The motor may be a stepper motor. Themotor may be a servo motor. The motor may be any suitable type of motor.

The fixture may include a stem. The fixture may include a housing. Anactuator may adjust the angle between the stem and the housing to adjustthe beam latitude. An actuator may retract the housing into the track.For example, the track may include a horizontal U-channel, with openside down. An actuator may adjust the beam latitude to 0 degrees, whichmay be defined as straight down. Then, a second actuator may retract thehousing up into the channel. A lower lip of the housing may bepositioned flush with the edges of the U-channel. The lower lip may bepositioned above the edges of the U-channel. A third actuator may adjustthe beam angle.

The fixture may include a reflector. The reflector may be configured toreduce or eliminate glare experienced by an individual in a spaceilluminated by the fixture. The reflector may be configured to reduce oreliminate glare when the individual's field of vision encompasses thefixture. The reduction or elimination may occur only when there is nodirect line of sight between the individual and a lens of the fixture.

The fixture may include a power cord. The power cord may suspend thefixture at a distance from the track. A first end of the power cord maybe fixed to the track. A second end of the power cord may be fixedinside a housing of the fixture. The housing may include a cleat and areceptacle. As the distance decreases, the cleat may engage the cord ata higher level. Cord below the cleat may be hidden from view inside thereceptacle.

The fixture may include a lens-adjusting ring. The ring may rotate tocause a linear displacement of the lens relative to the emitter. Thering may telescopically extend from the fixture housing. The ring may beconfigured to cause the displacement only when the ring is in atelescopically extended configuration. The rotation of the ring or otheradjusting of the lens or the lens holder in the fixture may cause achange in the angle of the beam emitted by the emitter.

The apparatus may include a beacon detector. The beacon detector mayinclude an array of detectors. The array may be configured to provideoptical intensities that can be used to triangulate to the 3-D locationof a beacon. The microprocessor may perform the triangulation. Asatellite processor mounted on the track may perform the triangulation.The detector may detect spatial coordinates of the optical beacon. Thedetector may detect a strength of the beacon. The detector may transmitthe coordinates to the microprocessor. The detector may transmit thestrength to the microprocessor. The microprocessor may adjust adirection of the fixture beam to a location relative to the beacon. Themicroprocessor may adjust a fixture parameter in response to the beaconlocation. The memory may store different relative target attitudes fordifferent fixtures to create a predetermined light pattern relative tothe beacon.

The apparatus may include a light tape. The light tape may be mountableon a surface of the track. The surface may face up from the track. Thesurface may face laterally away from the track. The tape may support thefixture. The tape may be mounted to the track by a clip. The tape mayinclude a tape power rail. The tape may include a tape control signalbus. The apparatus may include a track-to-tape connector. Thetrack-to-tape connector may connect the track power rail to the tapepower rail. The track-to-tape connector may connect the track controlsignal bus to the tape control signal bus.

The tape may include sections. The sections may be defined by break-awayconnections. The break-away connections may be configured to enable auser to obtain tape of different preselected lengths. The tape powerrail and tape control signal bus of a section may be configured tooperate after the section is separated from an adjacent section.

The apparatus may include, and the methods may involve, one or morefeatures such as a multi-protocol fixture control; a mechanicalinterconnection; beam spread control, beam direction control;positioning a fixture within a fixture support; fixture heightadjustment; lens ring adjustability; fixture release from a fixturesupport; fixture operational targeting; and wired fixture deployment ata distance. Table 1 lists illustrative fixtures.

TABLE 1 Illustrative fixtures. Light Fan Audio speaker Audio/Videoprojector Camera Detector/Sensor Range sensor Temperature sensor Motionsensor Occupancy sensor Visible light sensor Inertia sensor Spectralenergy sensor Other suitable fixtures

The fixture may include one or more devices. Table 2 lists illustrativedevices.

TABLE 2 Illustrative devices. LED emitter Switch Electro-acoustictransducer Video display Microphone Motor Linear actuator Antenna RFtransmitter RF receiver Transponder Detector Sensor Other suitabledevices

The fixture may be characterized by one or more fixture parameters.Table 3 lists illustrative fixture parameters.

TABLE 3 Illustrative fixture parameters. Illustrative fixture parametersIllustrative values, scale increments Vertical displacement from trackHorizontal displacement from reference point (e.g., end, middle,adjacent light fixture, other reference point) Beam pitch relative tovertical axis Beam pan angle about vertical axis On/Off Values: on, offDimming curve mode Values: linear, logarithmic. Soft on fade rate scale= 1 ms. Fade to black rate scale = 1 ms. Initial status level Values:0.00-100.00%, scale: 0.01% luminance level Values: 0.00-100.00%, scale:0.01% Color temperature mix level Values: 0.00-100.00%, scale: 0.01%Dimming channel (RED) Values: 0.00-100.00%, scale: 0.01% Dimming channel(GREEN) Values: 0.00-100.00%, scale: 0.01% Dimming channel (BLUE)Values: 0.00-100.00%, scale: 0.01% Dimming channel (WHITE) Values:0.00-100.00%, scale: 0.01% Dimming channel (COOL) Values: 0.00-100.00%,scale: 0.01% Dimming channel (WARM) Values: 0.00-100.00%, scale: 0.01%Occupancy sensitivity level Values: 0-255 Ocupancy range of detectionValues: 0-7 Moving fixture Up/down (tilt) Direction Values: 1 = up, 0 =down. Type of motion Values: 1 = absolute, 0 = relative. AbsolutePosition Values: 0-14,600 Scale = 0.025 degrees) Left/right (pan)Direction Values: 1 = left, 0 = right. Type of motion Values: 1 =absolute, 0 = relative. Absolute Position Values: 0-14,600 Scale = 0.025degrees) Beam spread angle Values: 0.255 Combination of any of the aboveOther suitable fixture parameters

The apparatus may include a receiver. The receiver may be configured toreceive a user command. The user command may correspond to a function ofthe fixture. The apparatus may include a microprocessor. Themicroprocessor may be configured to generate a fixture control message.The fixture control message may correspond to the function. Generationof a fixture control message may include translation of the fixturecontrol message.

The receiver may be configured to receive the user command from anetwork. Table 4 lists illustrative networks.

TABLE 4 Illustrative networks. Wide Area Network (e.g., Internet) LocalArea Network DMX 512 Dali Other suitable networks

The receiver may be configured to receive a signal that conforms to aprotocol. Table 5 lists illustrative signal protocols.

TABLE 5 Illustrative signal protocols. IEEE 802.11 IEEE 802.15.1 IEEE802.3 ANSI E1.11-2008 (R2018) Entertainment Technology-USITTDMX512-AAsynchronous Serial Digital Data Transmission Standard forControlling Lighting Equipment and Accessories IEC 62386 TCP/IP Othersuitable signal protocols

The user command may be a first user command. The user command mayconform to a first fixture control protocol. The receiver may beconfigured to receive a second user command that corresponds to thefunction. The second user command may conform to a second fixturecontrol protocol. The second fixture control protocol may be differentfrom the first fixture control protocol.

The user command may be a first user command. The user command, in afirst protocol, may correspond to the fixture function. The fixturefunction, in a second protocol, may be expressed as a second usercommand. The second user command may be different from the first usercommand. The control message may include an instruction. The instructionmay correspond to the first user command and the second user command.

The microprocessor may be configured to select the instruction inresponse to the first user command.

The microprocessor may be configured to select the instruction inresponse to the second user command.

The microprocessor may be configured to select the instruction based ona table that maps the first user command and the second user command tothe instruction.

The apparatus may include machine readable memory. The table may bestored in the machine readable memory.

The microprocessor may be of several microprocessors that areconfigured, in aggregate, to allocate power to a fixture control circuitand the fixture.

The microprocessor may be of several microprocessors that areconfigured, in aggregate, to receive the user command from an inputchannel of input channels, each corresponding to a different fixturecontrol protocol. The microprocessor may be of several microprocessorsthat are configured, in aggregate, to translate the user command intothe control message.

The user command may be rendered in a first protocol. The microprocessormay be configured to render the control message in a second protocolthat is different from the first protocol.

The microprocessor may be a first microprocessor. The apparatus mayinclude a fixture having a second microprocessor. The firstmicroprocessor may be configured to process the user command. The secondmicroprocessor may be configured to process the control message. Thesecond microprocessor may be a microprocessor that is not configured toprocess the user command.

The apparatus may include a fixture support. The fixture support maysupport the fixture. The microprocessor may be disposed in a powercontrol enclosure. The power control enclosure may be separate from thefixture support. The power control enclosure may be in electricalcommunication with the fixture support.

The microprocessor may be in wired electrical communication with aconductor of the fixture support.

The enclosure may be configured to be mounted a wall.

The apparatus may include a receptacle for receiving an inputcommunication line. The fixture control message may be configured tochange a load of the fixture in response to a voltage change in theinput communication line.

The change of the load may be proportional to the voltage change.

The apparatus may include a frame. The frame may define a cartridgesocket. The cartridge socket may be configured to receive a cartridge.The cartridge socket may include input contacts configured to receivethe user command. The cartridge may include a physical interfaceconfigured to receive a connector having an input format that conformsto the user command. The cartridge may include output contacts that arein electrical communication with respective input contacts.

The input format may be mismatched to the input contacts.

Table 6 lists illustrative input formats.

TABLE 6 Illustrative input formats. Illustrative formats DMX (DigitalMultiplexer) DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) Triac or ELV(Phase cut dimmer signal) 0-10 V dimmer signal Z-wave (Z-wave Alliance,Beaverton, Oregon) Zigbee (Zigbee Alliance, of San Ramon, California)Custom-user defined Default-provided in memory Other third-party controlprotocol Other suitable input formats

The cartridge may be a first cartridge. The physical interface may be afirst physical interface. The connector may be a first connector. Theformat may be a first format. The output contacts may be first outputcontacts. The cartridge socket may be configured to receive a secondcartridge. The second cartridge may include a second physical interface.The second physical interface may be configured to receive a secondconnector. The second connector may have a second format that conformsto the user command. The second connector may have output contacts thatare, respectively, in electrical communication with the input contacts.

The microprocessor may be configured to detect a pre-regulated powerlevel at the receptacle. The fixture control message may be configuredto set the load at the fixture in proportion to the pre-regulated powerlevel.

The apparatus may include an input power supply that may be configuredto receive line voltage. The apparatus may include a control power unitthat may include the microprocessor. The apparatus may include a powerdistribution circuit. The power distribution circuit may be configuredto supply a first current to the control power unit. The powerdistribution circuit may be configured to supply a second current to thefixture.

The power supply may reduce the line voltage to a constant operationalvoltage. The first current may be delivered at the constant operationalvoltage. The second current may be delivered at the constant operationalvoltage.

The fixture may be configured to be supported by a fixture support. Thefixture may be configured to be recessed in the fixture support. Thefixture may be configured to be flush-mounted in the fixture support.The fixture may be configured to be pendant from the fixture support.The fixture may be configured to be magnetically suspended from thefixture support.

The microprocessor may be a first microprocessor. The fixture mayinclude a second microprocessor. The second microprocessor may beconfigured to be in electronic communication with the firstmicroprocessor. The second microprocessor may be configured to receivethe control message from the first microprocessor. The secondmicroprocessor may be configured to control the fixture responsive tothe control message.

The apparatus may include a fixture support. The fixture may be a firstfixture. The fixture support may support the first fixture. The fixturesupport may support several second fixtures. The first and secondfixture supports may have different lengths. The second fixture supportsmay have different lengths. The microprocessor may be configured toaddress the message to the first fixture and not to any of the secondfixtures.

The fixture may be of a first group of fixtures. The fixture support maysupport a second group of fixtures. The microprocessor may be configuredto address the message only to fixtures in the first group.

The apparatus may include a transmitter. The transmitter may beconfigured to transmit the message to the fixture over wire. Thetransmitter may be configured to transmit the message to the fixtureover a wireless gap.

The receiver may be configured to receive the user command from a remotecommunication unit. The remote communication unit may include a mobiletelephone. The remote communication unit may include a wall-mountedcontrol.

The receiver may be configured to receive the user command wirelessly.The receiver may be configured to receive the user command over a wire.

Table 7 lists illustrative user commands.

TABLE 7 Illustrative user commands. Voltage level Increase intensityDecrease intensity Increase CCT Decrease CCT Illustrative user commandsPower ON Power OFF Select layout Track circadian lighting (automaticallyadjust fixture parameter to match circadian cycles) Complement ambientlighting (Light harvesting automation) Automatically adjust fixtureparameter based on occupancy of a space (select occupied, unoccupiedscenes) Automatically adjust fixture parameter based on occupancy of aspace (select occupied, unoccupied scenes) Motion activation ON Motionactivation OFF Motion deactivation ON Motion deactivation OFF Select huefor fixture Select hue for group Select power setting Select ambienttemperature setting for automatic ON Select ambient temperature settingfor automatic OFF Adjust vertical displacement of an LED Adjusthorizontal displacement of an LED (e.g., move left/right 5 degs.) Adjusttilt angle of an LED Adjust pan angle of an LED (e.g., pan to adifferent heading) Adjust light beam spread angle Other suitable usercommands

A beam spread angle may be an angle between opposed edges of a beam. Abeam edge may be defined by a decrease of 50% intensity relative to amaximum intensity of the beam. Beam edges may be identified by agoniophotometer.

The microprocessor may be configured to transmit to a remotecommunication unit lighting layout information. The layout informationmay identify the fixture support. The layout information may include,for the fixture, a location on the fixture support. The layoutinformation may include, for the fixture, a fixture on the fixturesupport.

The layout information may include, for the fixture, a fixtureparameter.

The fixture parameter may be a first fixture parameter. The layoutinformation may include, for a second fixture, a second fixtureparameter.

The fixture may be a first fixture. The location may be a firstlocation. The layout information may include, for a second fixture, asecond location on the fixture support corresponding to the secondfixture.

The fixture support may be a first fixture support. The layoutinformation may identify a second fixture support. The layoutinformation may identify an orientation of the second fixture supportrelative to the first fixture support. The fixture may be a firstfixture. The location may be a first location. The layout informationmay include, for a second fixture, a second location on the secondfixture support corresponding to the second fixture.

The remote communication unit may be configured to render a displaycorresponding to the lighting layout information.

The user command may include a command to select, responsive to anambient light spectrum, a hue of a light beam to be emitted from thefixture.

The apparatus may include a photo sensor. The photo sensor may beconfigured to register a spectrum of ambient light in which the fixtureis disposed.

The microprocessor may be configured to select, responsive to thespectrum, a coordinated color temperature of a light beam to be emittedfrom the fixture.

The photo sensor may be a first photo sensor. The apparatus may includea second photo sensor.

The second photo sensor may be configured to detect a presence of ahuman in a space in which the fixture support is disposed. Themicroprocessor may be configured to change a parameter of the fixturebased on a presence of the human. The second photo sensor may beconfigured to detect a departure of a human from a space in which thefixture support is disposed. The microprocessor may be configured tochange a parameter of the fixture based on the departure.

The first photo sensor and the second photo sensor may be collocated ona substrate.

The apparatus may include a sensor integrated circuit. The first photosensor and the second photo sensor may be part of the sensor integratedcircuit.

Table 8 lists illustrative control messages.

TABLE 8 Illustrative control messages. Voltage level Increase intensityDecrease intensity Increase CCT Decrease CCT Power ON Power OFF Selectlayout Track circadian lighting Complement ambient lighting Motionactivation ON Motion activation OFF Motion deactivation ON Motiondeactivation OFF Select hue for fixture Select hue for group Selectpower setting Select ambient temperature setting for automatic ON Selectambient temperature setting for automatic OFF Adjust verticaldisplacement of an LED Adjust horizontal displacement of an LED Adjusttilt angle of an LED Adjust pan angle of an LED Adjust light beam spreadangle Other suitable control messages

The apparatus may include a brace. The brace that may be configured toalign a fixture support with an electrical accessory to the fixturesupport. The apparatus may include a circuit. The circuit may beconfigured to transmit power between the fixture support and theaccessory. The fixture support may define a fixture docking area. Thefixture docking area may be configured to receive a fixture. The fixturedocking area may be configured to removably retain the fixture. Thebrace may be detachably engageable with the fixture support. Engagementof the brace with the fixture support may be an engagement that does notreduce the area.

The circuit may include an electrical terminal. The terminal may beelastically biases. The terminal may include a contact. The contact mayelectrically contact the fixture support when the brace engages thefixture support.

The circuit may be a first circuit. The contact may be a first contact.The apparatus may include a second circuit. The second circuit mayinclude a second contact. The second contact may electrically contactthe fixture support when the brace engages the fixture support.

The first and second circuits may be electrically isolated from eachother inside the brace. The first circuit may be configured to conductpower. The second circuit may be configured to conduct a communicationsignal.

The apparatus may include an accessory. The accessory may include apower terminal in electrical communication with the first contact. Theaccessory may include a signal terminal in electrical communication withthe second contact. The accessory may include a wall that abuts thearea.

The accessory may include a first closed-loop conductor slidinglyengaged with a first power terminal that may be in electricalcommunication with the first contact. The accessory may include a secondclosed-loop conductor slidingly engaged with a second power terminalthat may be in electrical communication with the second contact. Theaccessory may include a guide. The guide may be configured to maintainelectrical communication of the first power terminal with the firstclosed-loop conductor. The guide may be configured to maintainelectrical communication of the second power terminal with the secondclosed-loop conductor. The guide may be configured to maintain theelectrical communication while the brace is repositioned along the firstand second closed-loop conductors.

The brace may be repositionable continuously along the first and secondclosed-loop conductors.

The apparatus may include a power switch. The power switch may beconfigured to break electrical communication between the firstclosed-loop conductor and the first circuit.

The brace may be of a plurality of braces. The first and secondclosed-loop conductors may be configured to be electrically engaged bythe plurality of braces concurrently with each other.

The brace may be a first brace. The fixture support may be a firstfixture support. The area may be a first area. The accessory may includea second brace. The second brace may extend at a fixed angle relative tothe first brace. The second brace may be configured to detachably engagea second fixture support at the angle relative to the first fixturesupport. The second fixture support may include a second a fixturedocking area. The second fixture docking area may be configured toreceive the fixture. The second fixture docking area may be configuredto receive removably the fixture. Engagement of the second brace withthe second fixture support may be an engagement that does not reduce thesecond area.

The circuit may be a first circuit. The second brace may include asecond circuit that may be configured to transmit power between thefirst circuit and the second fixture support.

Table 9 lists illustrative ranges that may include the angle.

TABLE 9 Illustrative angle ranges. (degrees of arc) Lower Upper 0 29 3044 45 59 60 74 75 89 90 104 105 119 120 134 135 149 150 164 165 179 180194 Other Other suitable suitable lower upper limits limits

The apparatus may include a connector that may be configured to join afirst end of a first fixture support defining a first fixture-dockingarea to a second end of a second fixture support defining a secondfixture-docking area. Connection by the connector may form a joint thatdoes not subtract docking area from a third area that is defined as asum of the first fixture-docking area and the second fixture-dockingarea.

The first fixture-docking area may be configured to receive the device.

The second fixture-docking area may be configured to receive the device.

The first docking area may include a first mounting surface. The seconddocking area may include a second mounting surface. The connector may beconfigured to join the first and second surfaces such that the first andsecond surfaces are flush with each other. The connector may beconfigured to join electrically a first power rail of the first fixturesupport to a second power rail of the second fixture support. The powerrail may be configured to transmit power. The power rail may beconfigured to transmit control messages, as in a power linecommunication (“PLC”) architecture.

The connector may be configured to join electrically a first controlcommunication bus of the first fixture support to a second controlcommunication bus of the second fixture support.

The connector may be configured to hold a second end of a secondmounting surface in abutment with a first end of a first mountingsurface.

The connector may be configured to hold the second end spaced apart fromthe first end with no structure intervening between the second end andthe first end.

The first fixture support may provide a first continuous stretch oflocations at which a light fixture may be mountable on the firstsurface. The second fixture support may provide a second continuousstretch of locations at which the light fixture may be mountable on thesecond surface. The connector may be configured to form, from the firstand second continuous stretches, a third continuous stretch of locationsat which the light fixture may be mountable. The third continuousstretch may include the first and second stretches.

The apparatus may include a power rail jumper. The power rail jumper maybe configured to join electrically a first power rail of the firstfixture support to a second power rail of the second fixture support. Afirst mounting surface of the first fixture support may be configured tosupport a fixture. A second mounting surface of the second fixturesupport may be configured to support the fixture. The power rail jumpermay be configured to connect with the first power rail at a firstlocation behind the first surface. The power rail jumper may beconfigured to connect with the second power rail at second locationbehind the second surface. The fixture may include a light fixture.

The connector may include a first projection. The connector may includea second projection. The first projection may be configured to mate withthe first fixture support. The second projection may be configured tomate with the second fixture support.

The first projection may extend along a plane. The second projection mayextend along the plane.

The plane may be horizontal when the apparatus may be in operation.

The first projection may include a male engagement component. The maleengagement component may be configured to mate with a female engagementcomponent on the first fixture support.

The first projection may include a female engagement componentconfigured. The female engagement component may be configured to matewith a male engagement component on the first fixture support.

The apparatus may include a power rail jumper that is configured toprovide power conductivity between a first power rail of the firstfixture support and a second power rail of the second fixture support.

The apparatus may include a communication bus jumper that is configuredto provide signal conductivity between a first communication bus of thefirst fixture support and a second communication bus of the secondfixture support.

The first fixture support may include a first mounting surface. Thesecond fixture support may include a second mounting surface. Theconnector, in operation, may hold a second end of the second mountingsurface level with a first end of the first mounting surface.

The first projection and the second projection, in operation, may holdthe second mounting surface in abutment with the first mounting surface.

The first projection and the second projection, in operation, may holdthe second mounting surface spaced apart from the first mounting surfacewith no structure intervening between the second mounting surface andthe first mounting surface.

The first projection may include a first plate that may be configuredfor insertion, in the first fixture support, between: (a) a firstU-channel spine; and (b) a first control communication bus and a firstpower rail. The second projection may include a second plate that may beconfigured for insertion, in the second fixture support, between: (a) asecond U-channel spine; and (b) a second control communication bus and asecond power rail.

The apparatus may be configured so that neither the first plate nor thesecond plate intervenes between butt-ends of the first and secondfixture supports. The apparatus may be configured so that neither thefirst plate nor the second plate intervenes interferes with placement ofa light fixture in the U-channel.

The apparatus include a junction. The junction may define a central axisthat may define continuous circumferential angles about the axis. Thejunction may be configured to support a fixture support bracket at anyof the angles. The junction may be configured to provide electricalcommunication with the bracket at any of the angles. The junction mayinclude a track configured to support the bracket. The junction mayinclude a conductor that is configured to provide the electricalcommunication.

The track may be configured to slidingly support the bracket. Theconductor may be configured to provide the electrical communication atany of the angles to which the bracket is, in operation, moved.

The bracket may be configured to support an end of an elongated fixturesupport.

The bracket may be configured to provide the electrical communicationfrom the conductor to the fixture support.

The bracket may include a projection that extends radially away from thecentral axis. The bracket may be a first bracket. The electricalcommunication may be a first electrical communication. The fixturesupport may be a first fixture support. A second bracket that may beconfigured to slidingly engage the track. The second bracket that may beconfigured to slidingly engage the track. The second bracket may beconfigured to provide a second electrical communication from theconductor to a second fixture support.

The second bracket may include a projection that extends radially awayfrom the central axis.

The apparatus may include a third bracket. The third bracket may beconfigured to slidingly engage the track. The third bracket may beconfigured to provide a third electrical communication from theconductor to a third fixture support.

The third bracket may include a projection that extends radially awayfrom the central axis.

The first fixture support may include a first mounting surface. Thesecond fixture support may include a second mounting surface. Thejunction, in operation, may hold a second end of the second mountingsurface level with a first end of the first mounting surface.

The conductor may be a first conductor. The electrical communication maybe a first electrical communication. A second conductor tht may beconfigured to provide a second electrical communication with thebracket. The first conductor and the second conductor may be configuredto provide the respective first and second electrical communications atany of the angles to which the bracket is, in operation, moved.

The first conductor and the second conductor in operation may providepower to the bracket.

The first conductor and the second conductor in operation may provide acommunication signal to the bracket.

The apparatus may include a third conductor that may be configured toprovide a third electrical communication with the bracket.

The apparatus may include a fourth conductor that may be configured toprovide a fourth electrical communication with the bracket. The thirdconductor and the fourth conductor may be configured to provide therespective third and fourth electrical communications at any of theangles to which the bracket is, in operation, moved.

The third conductor and the fourth conductor in operation may providepower to the bracket.

The third conductor and the fourth conductor in operation may provide acommunication signal to the bracket.

The conductor may be a first conductor. The apparatus may include asecond conductor. The apparatus may include a third conductor. Theapparatus may include a fourth conductor. Each of the first, second,third and fourth conductors may define a continuous loop about thecentral axis.

The junction may include a frame. The frame may support the conductors.The frame may support the track. The frame may include a plate on whichthe conductors may be disposed.

The plate may be a first plate. The apparatus may include a secondplate. The first and second plates may be spaced apart by a spacer. Thefirst plate, the second plate and the spacer may define a receptacle.The receptacle may be configured to receive the bracket. The receptaclemay be configured to slidably support the bracket such that the bracketmay be movable about the spacer.

The apparatus may include a fixture head. The fixture head may include aback wall. The back wall may have a back side that may be configured tobe retained against a fixture support. The back wall may have a frontside, opposite the back side, that, in relation to the back side,defines a forward direction. The apparatus may include a detent. Thedetent may extend from the head. The detent may be configured to engagethe fixture support to retain a position of the head relative to thefixture support. The apparatus may include a release. The release may bedisposed inside the fixture head. The release may be configured towithdraw the detent from the fixture support. The release may beaccessible only from a location forward of the release.

The fixture head may support engagement of a fixture with a fixturesupport. The fixture support may support engagement of any suitableobject, including signage, with the fixture support.

The release may be disposed forward of the back side.

The release may be disposed such that, in operation, the back wall maybe between the fixture support and the release.

The back side may define, in relation to the front side, a reardirection. The back side may be configured to be retained against thefixture support such that the fixture support is rear of the back side.The release may be disposed forward of the back side.

The detent may be configured to bridge between the head and the fixturesupport to engage the fixture support.

The head may have a first side opposite a second side. The detentbridges between the first side and the fixture support.

The detent may be biased to engage the fixture support.

The release may define an engagement element. The engagement element maybe configured to be engaged to operate the release. The release mayinclude a slide, a button, a lever or any other suitable releaseelement.

The engagement element may be disposed parallel the back wall.

The apparatus may include a side wall. The side wall may extendperpendicular the back wall. The engagement element may be disposedparallel the side wall.

The engagement element may include an edge. The edge may be configuredto be engaged by a tip of an elongated hand-held instrument.

The engagement element may define a catch. The catch may be configuredto be engaged by a tip of an elongated hand-held instrument.

The engagement element may be configured to be operated by a userfinger.

The head in operation may span a recess of the fixture support in adirection transverse the fixture support such that a side wall of thehead may be flush with the fixture support.

The side wall may be supported by the back wall. The side wall maydefine, with the back wall, an interior. The release may be disposed inthe interior.

The side wall may define an open side of the head. The release may beaccessible only via the open side. The release may be a release that isnot accessible via the side wall.

The head may be configured to be seated in a recess defined by thefixture support. The detent may be configured to secure the head in therecess. The detent may be configured to bridge between the head and thefixture support to engage the fixture support.

The head may have a first side opposite a second side. The detent maybridge between the first side and the fixture support.

The head in operation may span the recess in a direction transverse thefixture support such that the first and second sides are flush with thefixture support.

The detent may be biased to engage the fixture support.

The release may define an edge that may be configured to be engaged by atip of an elongated hand-held instrument.

The head may define an interior. The release may be disposed in theinterior.

The head may include a side that in operation lies flush against a spineof the recess. The side, relative to the spine, may define a downwarddirection. A fixture power conductor may be disposed in the interior.The release, in operation, may be disposed below the side. The release,in operation, may be disposed above the fixture power conductor.

An LED circuit may be disposed in the interior. The release, inoperation, may be disposed below the side. The release, in operation,may be disposed below the side above the LED circuit. The release, inoperation, may be disposed above the LED emitter.

A reflector may be disposed in the interior. The release, in operation,may be disposed above the reflector.

A translucent layer may be disposed against the head. The release, inoperation, may be disposed above the translucent layer.

The apparatus may include a light fixture. The light fixture may includean LED emitter. The light fixture may be configured to depend from afixture support. The light fixture may be configured to emit a beam. Thelight fixture may be configured to receive a control message from aconductor of the fixture support. The light fixture may be configuredto, in response to the control message, adjust a beam-spread angle ofthe beam.

The conductor may include a bus. The conductor may include a power bus.The conductor may include a communication bus.

The apparatus may include a lens. The lens may be configured to adjustthe beam-spread angle in response to an electrical field applied to thelens. The lens may include a liquid crystal.

The light fixture may be further configured to adjust, in response tothe control message, a height along a vertical direction that passesthrough the fixture when the fixture is in operation.

The light fixture may be configured to adjust, in response to thecontrol message, a tilt angle between a centerline of the beam and avertical direction that passes through the fixture when the fixture isin operation.

The light fixture may be configured to adjust, in response to thecontrol message, a pan angle defined about a vertical direction thatpasses through the fixture when the fixture is in operation.

The light fixture may include a receiver. The light fixture may includea tilt actuator. The light fixture may include a pan actuator. Thereceiver may be configured to be in electronic communication with thetilt actuator. The receiver may be configured to be in electroniccommunication with the pan actuator. The tilt actuator may be configuredto change an angle between a centerline of the beam and a verticaldirection that passes through the fixture when the fixture may be inoperation. The pan actuator may be configured to angularly translate theemitter about the vertical direction.

The light fixture may include a magnetic coupler. The magnetic couplermay be configured to suspend the fixture from the fixture support. Themagnetic coupler may include a permanent magnet. The magnetic couplermay include ferrous metal. The magnetic coupler may be intrinsic to awall of the fixture.

The light fixture may include a power contact. The power contact may beconfigured to contact a power rail on the fixture support. The lightfixture may include further a power contact. The power contact may beconfigured to contact a power rail on a fixture support. The powercontact may be configured to be held in contact with the power rail bythe magnetic coupler. The power contact may be configured to pushagainst the power rail. The power contact may be configured to be heldagainst the power rail solely by the magnetic coupler.

The light fixture may include a communication bus contact. Thecommunication bus contact may be configured to contact a communicationbus on the fixture support. The communication bus contact may beconfigured to push against a power rail of the fixture support. Thecommunication bus contact may be configured to be held against the powerrail solely by the magnetic coupler.

The tilt actuator may be configured to move a housing, relative to thevertical direction, through an angular displacement of 180°. Table 10lists illustrative ranges that may include the tilt angle.

TABLE 10 Illustrative tilt angle ranges. (degrees of arc) Lower Upper 029 30 44 45 59 60 74 75 89 90 104 105 119 120 134 135 149 150 164 165179 180 194 Other Other suitable suitable lower upper limits limits

The pan actuator may be configured to angularly translate the emitterthrough an angular displacement of 360° or more. Table 11 listsillustrative ranges that may include the pan angle.

TABLE 11 Illustrative pan angle ranges. Illustrative pan angle ranges(degrees of arc) Lower Upper  0  29  30  44  45  59  60  74  75  89  90104 105 119 120 134 135 149 150 164 165 179 180 194 165 179 180 194 195209 210 224 225 239 240 254 255 269 270 284 285 299 300 314 315 329 330344 345 359 360 365 366  366+ Other suitable Other suitable lower limitsupper limits

The apparatus may include an LED emitter. The apparatus may beconfigured to The apparatus may be configured to depend from a fixturesupport. The apparatus may be configured to receive a control messagefrom a conductor of the fixture support. The apparatus may be configuredto, in response to the control message, pan the LED emitter. Theapparatus may be configured to, in response to the control message, tiltthe LED emitter. The apparatus may be configured to adjust, in responseto the control message, a beam-spread angle of a beam to be emitted, inoperation, from the emitter.

The apparatus may include a base. The apparatus may include a housing.The apparatus may include an LED emitter. The LED emitter may bedisposed in the housing. The apparatus may include a collar. The collarmay, in operation, by rotatable relative to the housing to adjust a beamspread angle of a beam emitted from the emitter.

The base may include a fixture head. The fixture head may include alatch. The fixture head may include a pick-up unit.

The base may be configured to be docked in an interior of a U-channelfixture support. Docking may include causing a mechanical engagement ofthe base with the fixture support. Docking may include making electricalcontact to transfer power between the base and the fixture support. Thebase may be configured to support the housing at differentuser-selectable heights relative to the U-channel fixture support.

The collar may be threadingly engaged with the housing.

Linear translation of the collar relative to a central axis of thehousing changes a distance between the emitter and a lens.

The housing may include a detent to prevent the collar from separatingfrom the housing.

The housing may include an annular recess adjacent threads through whichthe collar rotates. The detent may include a “C”-clip. The “C”-clip maybe disposed in the recess. The “C”-clip may defines a circumference. The“C”-clip may a reentrant angle interior the circumference.

The apparatus may include an articulating joint. The articulating jointmay provide freedom for the housing to be manually moved verticallyrelative to the base.

The housing and the support may be configured such that an entirety ofthe housing may be movable into the interior.

The housing may include a lip distal the base. The fixture support mayinclude a U-channel spine. The fixture support may include an edgedistal the spine. The lip may be movable into the interior, past theedge.

The articulating joint may be a first articulating joint. The apparatusmay include a second articulating joint. The second articulating jointmay provide freedom for the housing to rotate about a vertical directionthat passes through the base when the base is in operation.

The apparatus may include a third articulating joint. The thirdarticulating joint may provide freedom for the housing to tilt relativeto the base.

The apparatus may include an LED emitter disposed in a housing. Theapparatus may include a base. The base may be configured to dock to afixture support. The apparatus may include a cord. The cord may have afirst end. The first end may be electrically terminated in the base. Thecord may have a second end. The second end may be electricallyterminated in the housing. The cord may be configured to suspend thehousing from the base. The housing may be configured to engage the cordat a location along the cord between the first end and the second end tosuspend the housing at the location. The housing may be configured tostore a slack length of the cord in the housing.

The cord may include a plurality of locations continuously distributedalong the cord. The housing may be configured to engage the cord at anylocation in the plurality. Engagement of the cord by the housing at thelocation may retain the housing at a height corresponding to thelocation. The housing may be configured to engage the cord by mechanicalinterference with the cord.

The height may be adjustable by manually withdrawing the cord from thehousing. The height may be adjustable by manually pushing the cord intothe housing.

The housing may include a normally-closed gripper. The gripper may beconfigured to grip the cord at the location. The gripper may beconfigured to relax in response to passage of the cord into the housing.The passage may be a manual passage. The gripper may be configured formanual insertion of the cord into the housing. The gripper may beconfigured for manual withdrawal of the cord from the housing.

The gripper may include a spring. The spring may be disposed coaxiallyabout an axis of the cord. The gripper may include a bumper. The bumpermay be supported by the spring. Compression of the spring may displacethe bumper radially away from the axis to release the cord. Urging ofthe cord into the housing may cause the compression.

Under a first tension from the housing, the bumper may engage the cordto suspend the housing. Under a second tension from a user, the cord maybe slidable out of the housing against the bumpers. The second tensionmay be greater than the first tension.

The apparatus may include an LED emitter. The emitter may be disposed ina housing. The apparatus may include a ring. The ring may include abaffle. The ring may be configured to be supported by the housing at afirst user-selectable position relative to the housing. The ring may beconfigured to be supported by the housing at a second user-selectableposition relative to the housing. The ring may be configured to besupported by the housing at a third user-selectable position relative tothe housing. The third user-selectable position may be continuouslyselectable between the first user-selectable position and the seconduser-selectable position.

The ring may configured to be moved between the positions withoutrotation about a central axis of the ring. At the positions, inoperation, rotation of the ring may change a beam spread angle of lightemitted from the LED. Rotating the ring may cause a linear displacementof a lens relative to the LED emitter. Projecting the ring away from thehousing, in operation, may prevent light from the emitter fromilluminating outside a region defined by a cut-off angle. The cut-offangle may be in the range 0-45° below a horizontal plane defined by thelower edge of the ring. Projecting the ring away from the housing, inoperation, may eliminate glare experienced by a person at a distancefrom the vertical axis of the housing. The higher the ring is set, thegreater is the distance at which the person may experience glare.

The ring may be configured to be manually rotated by a user. The ringmay be configured to nest in the housing. The ring may be configured tobe manually telescopically extended away from the housing. The ring maybe configured to be manually telescopically moved relative to thehousing, without, in operation, changing the beam spread angle.

The apparatus may include a slotted bushing. The ring may be configuredto translate along the axis relative to the bushing, and not rotaterelative about the axis relative to the bushing. The bushing may beaffixed to the housing. The bushing may be rotatable with respect to thehousing.

Rotation of the bushing may change a distance between the emitter andlens.

The apparatus may include a light fixture depending from a fixturesupport and configured to emit a beam of light. The apparatus mayinclude a detector that is configured to generate a signal based ondetection of a target. The apparatus may include a microprocessor. Themicroprocess or may be configured to direct the beam to a target basedon a first location of the target. The microprocessor may be configuredto redirect the beam to the target when the target moves to a secondlocation. Table 12 lists illustrative target types.

TABLE 12 Illustrative target types. Illustrative target types Active RFbroadcast circuit Bluetooth Optical emitter Acoustic signal generatorReactive RFID Acoustic/Magnetic signal generator Acoustic PassiveOptical (//) visual IR UV AR-based natural feature Other suitable targettypes

The target may be configured to change from a low power mode to a highpower mode upon detection of an acceleration. In the low power mode, thetarget may consume energy at a rate that is too low to emit a locatingsignal. In the high power mode, the target may consume energy at a ratethat is not too low to emit a locating signal.

The microprocessor may be configured to adjust a beam parameter of thebeam so that when the target moves from the first location to the secondlocation, a metric of the beam at the target does not change. A beamparameter is an adjustable parameter of a beam, as emitted from thefixture. A metric is a state of the beam as observed at the target.Table 13 lists illustrative beam parameters.

TABLE 13 Illustrative beam parameters. Illustrative beam parametersBeam-angle spread Luminous flux Spectral power profile Coordinated colortemperature Fixture parameter Other suitable beam parameters

Table 14 lists illustrative beam metrics.

TABLE 14 Illustrative beam metrics. Illustrative beam metricsTwo-dimensional luminous flux Beam width transverse to the beam Beamwidth along a horizontal plane Beam area in a horizontal plane BeamDiameter Elliptical axis ratio Other suitable beam metrics

The apparatus may include machine readable memory. The microprocessormay be configured to store in the memory a reference bearing from thelight fixture to the target. The bearing may include a pan angle. Thebearing may include a tilt angle. The microprocessor may transform a panangle by 180° to account for a negative tilt angle. The referencebearing may correspond to the first location. The microprocessor may beconfigured to adjust a beam parameter of the beam at the second locationto conform to a predetermined instruction corresponding to the secondlocation. Table 15 lists illustrative predetermined instructions. Ametric may be a value that quantifies a beam parameter.

TABLE 15 Illustrative predetermined instructions. Illustrativepredetermined instructions Illustrative instructions Illustrativefunctionality Conform a second-location metric of the beam Provides atthe second location the same to a first-location metric of the beam.metric that was provided at the first location Conform a second-locationmetric of the beam Provides at the second location a metric to apredetermined metric corresponding to the previously set for the secondlocation second location. Conform a second-location beam parameter toProvides for the second location a beam a predetermined beam parametercorresponding parameter previously set for the second to the secondlocation location Conform a second-location beam parameter in Providesfor the second location a beam response to an ambientwavelength-intensity parameter that is responsive, in a spectrum at thesecond location. predetermined manner, to an ambient light spectrumsensed at the second location in connection with providing illuminationat the second location. Conform a second-location metric of the beamProvides at the second location a metric in response to an ambientwavelength-intensity that is responsive, in a predetermined spectrum atthe second location. manner, to an ambient light spectrum sensed at thesecond location in connection with providing illumination at the secondlocation. Other suitable instructions Other suitable functionality

The microprocessor may be configured to store in the memory a referencebeam parameter that corresponds to the first location. Themicroprocessor may be configured to store in the memory a reference beammetric that corresponds to the first location.

The microprocessor may be configured to calculate, for the secondlocation, a redirected bearing from the light fixture to the target.

The microprocessor may be configured to calculate, for the secondlocation, a redirected beam parameter that causes the beam metric, whenthe target is at the second location, to be the same as the referencemetric.

The microprocessor may be further configured to receive from a user aninstruction to set a reference beam profile. The reference beam profilemay include one or more beam parameters. The reference beam profile mayinclude one or more beam metrics. The apparatus may capture a referencebeam profile from a live beam from the fixture.

The microprocessor may be configured to receive from a user aninstruction to reset a reference beam profile. The beam may have a beamspread angle. The light fixture may include a lens. The lens may beconfigured to reshape the beam in response to an electric field appliedto the lens. The lens may be available, for example, under the tradenameLENSVECTOR (from LensVector Inc., San Jose, Calif.). The lens may beconfigured to adjust the beam spread angle between a first value and asecond value, continuously. The first value may be a value that is notless than 15. The second value may be a value that is not more than 40.

Table 16 lists illustrative detector types.

TABLE 16 Illustrative detector types. Illustrative detector types CameraMicrophone RF antenna Optical sensor Acoustic sensor Other suitabletarget types

The microprocessor may be disposed on the fixture support. Themicroprocessor may be disposed in a lighting power control enclosure.The enclosure may in operation be spaced apart from the fixture support.The enclosure may in operation be in electrical communication with thefixture support.

The beam may be a first beam. The apparatus may include a second lightfixture that is configured to emit a second beam of light. Themicroprocessor may be configured to direct the second beam to the targetbased on the first location.

The light fixture may be a first light fixture. The fixture support maybe a first fixture support. The apparatus may include a second lightfixture that is configured to be supported by a second fixture support.The second fixture support may be a fixture support that is not fixeddirectly to the first fixture support.

The second light fixture may be configured to be supported by a secondfixture support. The apparatus may include a brace that fixes the secondfixture support to the first fixture support.

The detector may be a first detector. The beam may be a first beam. Thetarget may be first target. The signal may be a first signal. Theapparatus may include a second light fixture depending from the fixturesupport and configured to emit a second beam of light. The seconddetector may be configured to generate the second signal based ondetection of the second target. The microprocessor may be configured todirect the first beam to the first target based on the first signal. Themicroprocessor may be configured to direct the second beam to a secondtarget based on the second signal.

The apparatus may include a current-regulated LED circuit. Thecurrent-regulated LED circuit may be configured to receive controlinformation corresponding to the LED emitter. The current-regulated LEDcircuit may be configured to provide power to the LED emitter based oncontrol information addressed to the circuit. The current-regulated LEDcircuit may be configured to provide power to the LED emitter. Theapparatus may include a non-polar socket that may be in electricalcommunication with the LED circuit. The LED circuit may include a PM2071current regulation device.

The LED emitter may be a first LED emitter. The LED circuit may be afirst LED circuit. The information may be first information. Theapparatus may include a second LED emitter. The apparatus may include asecond LED circuit. The second LED circuit that may be configured toreceive second control information corresponding to the second LEDemitter. The second LED circuit that may be configured to provide powerto the second LED emitter. The second information may be addressed tothe second LED circuit. The second information may be information thatis not addressed to the first LED circuit. The first LED circuit may bemounted on a first lamina section having a first power rail configuredto receive power from a power source. The second LED circuit may bemounted on a second lamina section having a second power rail,electrically parallel the first power rail, that may be configured toreceive power from the power source. The information may include afixture parameter. The information may include a beam parameter.

The apparatus may include a DC power supply. The apparatus may include atransmission line having a length. The current-regulated LED circuit mayinclude a current regulator. The length may extend from the DC powersupply to the socket. The transmission line may include powerconductors. The power conductors may have a wire diameter. The LEDcircuit may have a linear light-output density, which may be quantifiedin terms of lumens/(foot of lamina or laminae).

Table 17 lists illustrative minimum values of the length.

TABLE 17 Illustrative ranges for minimum values of the length.Illustrative ranges for minimum values of the length (ft) Range RangeRange Lower Upper Lower Upper Lower Upper <20 20 200 220 400 420 20 40220 240 420 440 40 60 240 260 440 460 60 80 260 280 460 480 80 100 280300 480 500 100 120 300 320 500 520 120 140 320 340 520 540 140 160 340360 540 560 160 180 360 380 560 580 180 200 380 400 580 600 600 >600Other suitable ranges of lengths

The apparatus may include a lamina section. The lamina section mayinclude a circuit board. The LED emitter may be mounted on the laminasection. The LED circuit may be mounted lamina section. The socket maybe mounted lamina section.

The LED emitter may be a first LED emitter. The LED circuit may be afirst LED circuit. The apparatus may include a second LED emitter. Theapparatus may include a second current-regulated LED circuit. The firstLED circuit and the first LED emitter together may define a firststring. The second current-regulated LED circuit and the second LEDemitter together may define a second string. The first string mayconduct from a hot conductor to a first neutral conductor. The secondstring may conduct from the hot conductor to a second neutral conductor.The hot conductor, the first neutral conductor and the second neutralconductor may be in electrical communication with the socket.

The information may be first information. The second current-regulatedLED circuit that may be configured to receive second informationcorresponding to the second LED emitter. The second current-regulatedLED circuit that may be configured to provide power to the second LEDemitter. The first information may correspond to a first power. Thesecond information may correspond to a second power. A ratio of outputfrom the second LED emitter to output from the first LED emitter may bea function of a ratio of the second power to the first power.

The first LED may be configured to emit light having a first coordinatedcolor temperature (“CCT”). The second LED may be configured to emitlight having a second CCT. The second CCT may be greater than the firstCCT. Table 18 lists illustrative ranges that may include nominal CCTvalues for the first and second CCTs.

TABLE 18 Illustrative ranges that may include nominal CCT values for thefirst and second CCTs. Illustrative ranges (° K.) Range Lower Upper1,800 1,849 1,850 1,899 1,900 1,949 1,950 1,999 2,000 2,049 2,050 2,0992,100 2,149 2,150 2,199 2,200 2,249 2,250 2,299 2,300 2,349 2,350 2,3992,400 2,449 2,450 2,499 2,500 2,549 2,550 2,599 2,600 2,649 2,650 2,6992,700 2,749 2,750 2,799 <2,800 2,799 2,800 2,849 2,850 2,899 2,900 2,9492,950 2,999 3,000 3,049 3,050 3,099 3,100 3,149 3,150 3,199 3,200 3,2493,250 3,299 3,300 3,349 3,350 3,399 3,400 3,449 3,450 3,499 3,500 3,5493,550 3,599 3,600 3,649 3,650 3,699 3,700 3,749 3,750 3,799 3,800 3,8493,850 3,899 3,900 3,949 3,950 3,999 4,000 4,049 4,050 4,099 4,100 4,1494,150 4,199 4,200 4,249 4,250 4,299 4,300 4,349 4,350 4,399 4,400 4,4494,450 4,499 4,500 4,549 4,550 4,599 4,600 4,649 4,650 4,699 4,700 4,7494,750 4,799 4,800 4,849 4,850 4,899 4,900 4,949 4,950 4,999 5,000 5,0495,050 5,099 5,100 5,149 5,150 5,199 5,200 5,249 5,250 5,299 5,300 5,3495,350 5,399 5,400 5,449 5,450 5,499 5,500 5,549 5,550 5,599 5,600 5,6495,650 5,699 5,700 5,749 5,750 5,799 5,800 5,849 5,850 5,899 5,900 5,9495,950 5,999 6,000 6,049 6,050 6,099 6,100 6,149 6,150 6,199 6,200 6,2496,250 6,299 6,300 6,349 6,350 6,399 6,400 6,449 6,450 6,499 6,500 6,5496,550 6,599 6,600 6,649 6,650 6,699 6,700 6,749 6,750 6,799 6,800 6,8496,850 6,899 6,900 6,949 6,950 6,999 7,000 7,049 7,050 7,099 7,100 7,1497,150 7,199 7,200 7,249 7,250 7,299 7,300 7,349 7,350 7,399 7,400 7,4497,450 7,499 7,500 7,549 7,550 7,599 7,600 7,649 7,650 7,699 7,700 7,7497,750 7,799 7,800 7,849 7,850 7,899 7,900 7,949 7,950 7,999 8,000 >8,000Other suitable ranges

The first string and the second string may define a first CCT mixingcircuit. The apparatus may include second CCT mixing circuits. Each ofthe second CCT mixing circuits may be arranged: (1) in parallel with thefirst CCT mixing circuit between (a) the hot conductor; and (b) thefirst and second neutral conductors; and (2) along an elongatedsubstrate.

The apparatus may include a DC power supply. The apparatus may include atransmission line having the length. The length may extend from the DCpower supply to the socket.

The DC power supply may be configured to provide a voltage to thetransmission line. The transmission line may attenuate the voltage by anamount that is no more than a threshold number of volts. Table 19 listsillustrative threshold volts.

TABLE 19 Illustrative threshold volts. Illustrative ranges of thresholdvolts Range Range Lower Upper Lower Upper <2 2 4 4.2 2 2.2 4.2 4.4 2.22.4 4.4 4.6 2.4 2.6 4.6 4.8 2.6 2.8 4.8 5 2.8 3 5 5.2 3 3.2 5.2 5.4 3.23.4 5.4 5.6 3.4 3.6 5.6 5.8 3.6 3.8 5.8 6 3.8 4 6 >6 Other suitableranges of threshold volts

For a given threshold voltage, the length may be extended by increasingthe transmission line conductor diameter (reducing the wire diameter).Table 19A lists illustrative wire diameters.

TABLE 19A Illustrative wire diameters. Illustrative wire diameters (mm)Range Range Range Lower Upper Lower Upper Lower Upper <.08 0.08 0.410.46 2.31 2.59 0.08 0.09 0.46 0.51 2.59 2.91 0.09 0.1 0.51 0.57 2.913.26 0.1 0.11 0.57 0.64 3.26 3.67 0.11 0.13 0.64 0.72 3.67 4.12 0.130.14 0.72 0.81 4.12 4.62 0.14 0.16 0.81 0.91 4.62 5.19 0.16 0.18 0.911.02 5.19 5.83 0.18 0.2 1.02 1.15 5.83 6.54 0.2 0.23 1.15 1.29 6.54 7.350.23 0.26 1.29 1.45 7.35 8.25 0.26 0.29 1.45 1.63 8.25 9.27 0.29 0.321.63 1.83 9.27 10.41 0.32 0.36 1.83 2.05 10.41 11.68 0.36 0.41 2.05 2.3111.68 >11.68 Other suitable ranges of wire diameters

For a given threshold voltage, the length may be extended by decreasingthe linear light-output density. Table 19B lists illustrative linearlight-output densities.

TABLE 19B Illustrative linear light-output densities. Illustrativelinear light-output densities (lumen/foot) Range Range Range Lower UpperLower Upper Lower Upper <10 10 100 110 200 210 10 20 110 120 210 220 2030 120 130 220 230 30 40 130 140 230 240 40 50 140 150 240 250 50 60 150160 250 260 60 70 160 170 260 270 70 80 170 180 270 280 80 90 180 190280 290 90 100 190 200 290 300 300 >300 Other suitable ranges of linearlight-output densitiesFor a threshold voltage of 4 VDC, with linear light density of 100lumens/foot, and 20 AWG wire, a length of 100 ft. may be used.

The apparatus may include a user-adjustable CCT mixing circuit. Themixing circuit may be configured to allocate power from a DC powersupply to the first LED emitter. The mixing circuit may be configured toallocate power from a DC power supply to the second LED emitter.

The mixing circuit may be configured to distribute power from the powersupply between the first LED emitter and the second LED emitter.

The socket may be a mounted socket. The mounted socket may be configuredto engage a free socket in: a first orientation relative to the mountedsocket; and a second orientation relative to the mounted socket. Thesecond orientation may be opposite the first orientation.

The socket may include first power rail contacts. The first power railcontacts may include a first hot contact. The first power rail contactsmay include a first high coordinated color temperature (“CCT”) neutralcontact. The first power rail contacts may include a first low CCTneutral contact. The socket may include second power rail contacts. Thesecond power rail contacts may include a second hot contact. The secondpower rail contacts may include a second high CCT neutral contact. Thesecond power rail contacts may include a second low CCT neutral contact.

The first and second power rail contacts may be disposed in a block. Theblock may define receptacles. Each of the first and second power railcontacts may be disposed in a different receptacle. The receptacles maydefine a number of rows. The receptacles may define a number of columns.Table 20 lists illustrative numbers of rows.

TABLE 20 Illustrative numbers of rows. Illustrative numbers of rows 2 34 5 6 Other suitable numbers of rows

Table 21 lists illustrative numbers of columns.

TABLE 21 Illustrative numbers of columns. Illustrative numbers ofcolumns 2 3 4 5 6 Other suitable numbers of columns

The first and second hot contacts may be wired in parallel with eachother. The first and second high CCT neutral contacts may be wired inparallel with each other. The first and second low CCT neutral contactsmay be wired in parallel with each other.

The socket may have a central axis. The central axis may be normal to aplane defined by the receptacles. The second hot contact may bedisplaced 180°, about the central axis, from the first hot contact. Thesecond high CCT neutral contact may be displaced 180°, about the centralaxis, from the first high CCT neutral contact. The second low CCTneutral contact may be displaced 180°, about the central axis, from thefirst low CCT neutral contact.

The emitter may be first emitter. The LED circuit may be a first LEDcircuit. The socket may be a first socket. The apparatus may include asecond emitter. The apparatus may include a second LED circuit. Theapparatus may include a second non-polar socket. The first emitter, thefirst LED circuit, and the first socket may define a first lightingcircuit. The first light circuit may be disposed on a first laminasection. The second emitter, the second LED circuit, and the secondsocket may define a second lighting circuit. The second lighting circuitmay be disposed on a second lamina section. A break-away joint mayseparably join the first and second lamina section. The first lightingcircuit may be configured to transmit power and control information tothe second lighting circuit. The first lighting circuit may be operableto provide light having an adjustable correlated color temperature whenthe second lamina section is joined to the first lamina section. Thefirst lighting circuit may be operable to provide light having anadjustable correlated color temperature when the second lamina sectionis separated from the first lamina section.

The first lighting circuit may include a first LED circuit. The firstlighting circuit may include a first LED emitter. The first lightingcircuit may include a first power rail. The second lighting circuit mayinclude a second LED circuit. The second lighting circuit may include asecond LED emitter. The second lighting circuit may include a secondpower rail in electrical communication with the first power rail.

The apparatus may include a socket that includes a power rail jumper.The power rail jumper may be configured to bridge between a fixturesupport power rail and the first power rail. The apparatus may include aholder. The holder may be configured to hold a lamina section to afixture support.

Illustrative embodiments of apparatus and methods in accordance with theprinciples of the invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. It is to be understoodthat other embodiments maybe utilized and that structural, functionaland procedural modifications or omissions may be made without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Some embodiments may omit features shown and/or described in connectionwith the illustrative apparatus. Some embodiments may include featuresthat are neither shown nor described in connection with the illustrativeapparatus. Features of illustrative apparatus may be combined. Forexample, one illustrative embodiment may include features shown inconnection with another illustrative embodiment.

Embodiments may involve some or all of the features of the illustrativeapparatus and/or some or all of the steps of the methods associatedtherewith.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a computing server such as 101(alternatively referred to herein as a “server or computer”) that may beused in accordance with the principles of the invention. The server 101may have a processor 103 for controlling overall operation of the serverand its associated components, including RAM 105, ROM 107, input/output(“I/O”) module 109, and memory 115.

I/O module 109 may include a microphone, keypad, touchscreen and/orstylus through which a user of server 101 may provide input, and mayalso include one or more of a speaker for providing audio output and avideo display device for providing textual, audiovisual and/or graphicaloutput. Software may be stored within memory 115 and/or other storage(not shown) to provide instructions to processor 103 for enabling server101 to perform various functions. For example, memory 115 may storesoftware used by server 101, such as an operating system 117,application programs 119, and an associated database 111. Alternatively,some or all of computer executable instructions of server 101 may beembodied in hardware or firmware (not shown).

Server 101 may operate in a networked environment supporting connectionsto one or more remote computers, such as terminals 141 and 151.Terminals 141 and 151 may be personal computers or servers that includemany or all of the elements described above relative to server 101. Thenetwork connections depicted in FIG. 1 include a local area network(LAN) 125 and a wide area network (WAN) 129, but may also include othernetworks.

When used in a LAN networking environment, server 101 is connected toLAN 125 through a network interface or adapter 113.

When used in a WAN networking environment, server 101 may include amodem 127 or other means for establishing communications over WAN 129,such as Internet 131.

It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areillustrative and other means of establishing a communications linkbetween the computers may be used. The existence of any of variouswell-known protocols such as TCP/IP, Ethernet, FTP, HTTP and the like ispresumed, and the system may be operated in a client-serverconfiguration to permit a user to retrieve web pages from a web-basedserver. Any of various conventional web browsers may be used to displayand manipulate data on web pages.

Additionally, application program 119, which may be used by server 101,may include computer executable instructions for invoking userfunctionality related to communication, such as email, short messageservice (SMS), and voice input and speech recognition applications.

Computing server 101 and/or terminals 141 or 151 may also be mobileterminals including various other components, such as a battery,speaker, and antennas (not shown). Terminal 151 and/or terminal 141 maybe portable devices such as a laptop, tablet, smartphone or any othersuitable device for receiving, storing, transmitting and/or displayingrelevant information.

Any information described above in connection with database 111, and anyother suitable information, may be stored in memory 115. One or more ofapplications 119 may include one or more algorithms that may be used toperform the functions of one or more of a fixture arrangement, or anycomponent thereof, a fixture control module, or any component thereof,and an input, or any component thereof, and perform any other suitabletasks.

The apparatus and methods may be operational with numerous other generalpurpose or special purpose computing system environments orconfigurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments,and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the inventioninclude, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers,hand-held or laptop devices, tablets, mobile phones and/or otherpersonal digital assistants (“PDAs”), multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumerelectronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers,distributed computing environments that include any of the above systemsor devices, and the like.

The apparatus and methods may be described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Theinvention may also be practiced in distributed computing environmentswhere tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linkedthrough a communications network. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules may be located in both local and remotecomputer storage media including memory storage devices.

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative apparatus such as 200 that may beconfigured in accordance with the principles of the invention.

Apparatus 200 may be a computing machine. Apparatus 200 may include oneor more features of the apparatus that is shown in FIG. 1 .

Apparatus 200 may include chip module 202, which may include one or moreintegrated circuits, and which may include logic configured to performany other suitable logical operations.

Apparatus 200 may include one or more of the following components: I/Ocircuitry 204, which may include a transmitter device and a receiverdevice and may interface with fiber optic cable, coaxial cable,telephone lines, wireless devices, PHY layer hardware, a keypad/displaycontrol device or any other suitable encoded media or devices;peripheral devices 206, which may include counter timers, real-timetimers, power-on reset generators or any other suitable peripheraldevices; logical processing device 208, which may perform functions ofone or more of a fixture arrangement, or any component thereof, afixture control module, or any component thereof, and an input, or anycomponent thereof, and perform any other suitable tasks or other methodsdescribed herein; and machine-readable memory 210.

Machine-readable memory 210 may be configured to store inmachine-readable data structures information of one or more of a fixturearrangement, or any component thereof, a fixture control module, or anycomponent thereof, and an input, or any component thereof, and any othersuitable information or data structures.

Components 202, 204, 206, 208 and 210 may be coupled together by asystem bus or other interconnections 212 and may be present on one ormore circuit boards such as 220. In some embodiments, the components maybe integrated into a single chip.

The chip may be silicon-based.

FIG. 3 shows illustrative architecture 300 for controlling fixtures.Architecture 300 may include fixture arrangement 302. Architecture 300may include fixture control module 304. Architecture 300 may includeinputs 306. Architecture 300 may include wide area network 308.Architecture 300 may define one or more network segments. A firstsegment may include inputs 306. A second segment may include fixturessuch as 316 and 318 in fixture arrangement 302.

A segment may include one or more individually addressable devices. Asegment may include one or more addressable groups.

Fixture arrangement 302 may include fixture support 310. Fixturearrangement 302 may be supported by mount M. Mount M may fix fixturesupport 310 to structure S. Structure S may include a ceiling, a wall, abeam, cabinet, a free-standing object or any other suitable structure.Fixture support 310 may support one or more fixtures such as fixture316. Fixture support 310 may support one or more fixtures such asfixture 318. One or more of fixtures 316 and 318 may be disposed on topof fixture support 310. One or more of fixtures 316 and 318 may bedisposed on bottom of fixture support 310. One or more of fixtures 316and 318 may be disposed on a side of fixture support 310. One or more offixtures 316 and 318 may be disposed on an end of fixture support 310.

Fixture control module 304 may include fixture controller 320. Fixturecontrol module 304 may include user interface 322. Fixture controlmodule 304 may include receptacle 324. Fixture controller 320 may be inelectrical communication with line power 326. Line power 326 may providetwo-phase or three-phase power at 110 V or 220 V, DC voltage at anysuitable level, or any other suitable voltage. Receptacle 324 mayreceive a dimmer voltage from electronic dimmer 330. Fixture 316 mayoperate over a range of operational levels. Fixture 316 may operate at amaximum operational level. The dimmer voltage may have a maximumvoltage. A proportion of the maximum dimmer voltage that is representedby the dimmer voltage may correspond to an operational level at which afixture 316 is to be operated. The dimmer voltage proportion, if appliedto the maximum operational level, may define the operational level atwhich a fixture 316 is to be operated.

The operational level may be a power level, a current level, or anyother suitable level.

Input 306 may include user communication device 328. Input 306 mayinclude electronic dimmer 330.

Fixture controller 320 may include one or more elements of apparatusshown in FIG. 1 or 2 .

Fixture controller 320 may be in wired electrical communication withfixture arrangement 302. The wired electrical communication may beprovided by cable 317. The wired electrical communication may providepower to fixture arrangement 302. The wired electrical communication mayprovide control messages to fixture arrangement 302. Fixture controller320 may provide the power and the control messages over differentconductors. Fixture controller 320 may provide the power and the controlmessages simultaneously over a conductor, as is done in power linecontrol methods.

Fixture controller 320 may be in wireless communication with fixturearrangement 302. The wireless electrical communication may providecontrol messages to fixture arrangement 302.

Communication between fixture controller 320 and fixture arrangement 302may be wholly or in part by wired electrical communication.Communication between fixture controller 320 and fixture arrangement 302may be wholly or in part by wireless electrical communication.Communication between fixture controller 320 and fixture arrangement 302may be wholly or in part by wireless communication. The wirelesscommunication may include optical communication. The wirelesscommunication may include acoustic communication. Communication betweenfixture controller 320 and fixture arrangement 302 may be partially bywired electrical communication and partially wireless communication.

Fixture control module 304 may be in communication with input 306.

User interface 322 may provide communication functions for fixturecontrol module 304. The communication may include transmission of a usercommand to fixture control module 304. The communication may includetransmission of fixture information to input 306. The fixtureinformation may include a fixture parameter. The communication may bewireless. The communication may be wired.

User interface 322 may receive a user command from communication device328. User interface 322 may include a data input device. The data inputdevice may include one or more of a touch screen, a key pad and anyother suitable device. User interface 322 may receive a user commandfrom communication device 328. User communication device 328 may includeone or more of the elements shown in FIG. 1 or 2 . Control over afixture may be passed from user communication device 328 to userinterface 322. Control over a fixture may be passed from user interface322 to user communication device 328. The control may be passed by theuser. The control may be configured to be passed automatically. Thecontrol may be configured to be passed automatically upon the fulfilmentof a condition. The condition may be a temporal condition. The conditionmay be based on a fixture parameter. The condition may be based on anambient lighting condition. The condition may be based on any suitablecondition.

Electronic dimmer 330 may provide Triac/ELV dimming. Electronic dimmer330 may receiver electrical current from line power 332.

Arrangement 100 may include one or more sensors. The sensors may includea range sensor such as 334 and 336. The range sensor may sense adistance to a surface. The sensors may include a temperature sensor suchas 338 and 340. The temperature sensor may sense an ambient temperature.The temperature sensor may sense a temperature or a differentialtemperature of a surface at a distance from the sensor. The sensors mayinclude a motion sensors such as 342. The sensors may include one ormore light sensors such as 344. The light sensor may sense visiblelight. The light sensor may sense energy associated with one or morewavelengths of light.

FIG. 4 shows illustrative communications 400 between fixture controller320 and input 306. Illustrative communications 400 may include usercommand 402, fixture information 404, dimmer voltage 406, dimmerfeedback 408 or any other suitable communication.

FIG. 4 shows illustrative communications 410 between fixture controller320 and fixture arrangement 302. Communications 410 may include controlmessages 412 for control performance of fixtures such as 316.Communications 410 may include fixture parameter 414.

FIG. 5 shows illustrative architecture 500 for controlling fixtures.Architecture 500 may have one or more features in common witharchitecture 300 (shown in FIG. 3 ). Architecture 500 may includefixture arrangement 502. Architecture 500 may include fixture controlmodule 504. Architecture 500 may include inputs 506.

Fixture arrangement 502 may include one or more fixture supports such asfixture support 508. Fixture support 508 may provide mechanical tosupport to one or more fixtures such as fixture 510. Fixture support 508may convey electrical power from control module 504 to one or morefixtures such as fixture 510. Fixture support 508 may convey electricalsignals from control module 504 to one or more fixtures such as fixture510.

Fixture 510 may include power block 512. Power block 512 may receiveelectrical power from fixture support 508. Power block 512 may receivecurrent from fixture support 508. The current may include DC current.The current may include AC current. Power block 512 may receive thecurrent at a voltage. The voltage may be 48 V. Table 22 listsillustrative ranges that may include the voltage.

TABLE 22 Illustrative voltage ranges. Illustrative voltage ranges (V)Lower Upper  0  5  5 10 10 15 15 20 20 25 25 30 30 35 35 40 40 45 45 5050 55 55 60 60 >60   Other suitable Other suitable lower limits upperlimits

Power block 512 may provide output voltage to components of fixture 510.The output may include an AC voltage. The output may include a DCvoltage. Power block 512 may provide different output voltages todifferent components of fixture 510. Table 23 lists illustrative outputvoltage ranges that may include the output voltage.

TABLE 23 Illustrative output voltage ranges. Illustrative voltage ranges(V) Lower Upper  0  5  5 10 10 15 15 20 20 25 25 30 30 35 35 40 40 45 4550 50 55 55 60 60 >60   Other suitable Other suitable lower limits upperlimits

The output voltage may be a step-down from 48 VDC to 5 VDC. The outputvoltage may be a step-down from 48 VDC to 3.3 VDC.

Fixture 510 may include transceiver 514. Transceiver 514 may receiveelectrical signals from fixture support 508. Transceiver 514 may receiveelectrical power from power block 512. The electrical power may includeAC power. The electrical power may include DC power. Transceiver 514 mayexchange communications 410 with fixture support 508. Transceiver 514may exchange communications 410 with device control module 516.

Fixture 510 may include one or more device control modules such asdevice control module (“DCM”) 516. Fixture 510 may include a devicecontrol module for each of one or more devices in fixture 510. Devicecontrol module 516 may receive electrical signals from transceiver 514.Device control module 516 may receive electrical power from power block512. Device control module 516 may include a microprocessor. Device 518may receive electrical signals from device control module 516. Theelectrical signals may cause device 518 to change a fixture parameter.

Table 24 lists illustrative functions of device control module 516.

TABLE 24 Illustrative functions of device control module 516.Illustrative functions of device control module 516 Manage fixturebehaviors during power on Reset based on detection of segment controlmodule (“SCM”) 524 Receive control messages such as 412 from segmentcontrol module 524 Execute instructions in control messages such as 412Transmit fixture parameters such as 414 to segment control module 524Respond to requests from segment control module 524 for fixture statusOther suitable functions

Table 25 lists illustrative resources with which control module 516 mayinterface.

TABLE 25 Illustrative resources. Illustrative resources Segment controlmodule 524 Other suitable resources

Fixture control module 504 may include fixture controller 520. Fixturecontrol module may include power unit 522.

Fixture controller 520 may include segment control module 524. Fixturecontroller module 520 may include user interface 526. Fixture controller520 may include transceiver 530. Fixture controller 520 may include aWifi module such as 528. Fixture controller 520 may include power block532.

Segment control module 524 may manage one or more network segments. Anetwork segment may include a network of device control modules such as516. Table 26 lists illustrative functions of segment control module524.

TABLE 26 Illustrative functions of segment control module 524.Illustrative functions of segment control module 524 Manage the networkof device control modules such as 516 Manage and maintaining the groupsof devices such as 518 defined for the network. Receive inputs frominputs 506. Translate inputs from inputs 506 into control messages 412Translate inputs from inputs 506 into Wifi module 528 inputs Manageinterface(s) connected to a modular interface connector in userinterface 526 Provide network and device updates to Wifi module 528Manage addition of devices to network Manage removal of devices fromnetwork Other suitable functions

Table 27 lists illustrative interfaces that segment control module 524may manage.

TABLE 27 Illustrative interfaces. Illustrative interfaces IoT ModuleDevice Control Module 0-10V Triac/ELV Interface Modular I/O-DALI ModularI/O-DMX Modular I/O-Multiple 0-10V inputs Other suitable interfaces

Wifi module 528 may manage communications with channels 548 of input506. Table 28 lists illustrative functions of Wifi module 528.

TABLE 28 Illustrative functions of Wifi module 528. Illustrativefunctions of Wifi module 528 Manage cloud connectivity (e.g., keepingcloud resources synchronized with current fixture parameters; receivinguser commands from inputs 534; dispatching user commands received fromthe inputs 534 to segment control module 524). Advertise availability ona network of devices such as 518 for use by 3rd party systems (MDNS(multicast DNS), SDDP (Simple Device Discovery Protocol) associated withinputs 534 etc.) Manage interactions with devices associated with inputs534 Manage connectivity with wireless remote controls (identify remotecontrols that are included in inputs 534) Manage update of firmware(e.g., on 516, 524, 528, 544) Manage scheduled actions Other suitablefunctions

Table 29 lists illustrative resources with which Wi-Fi module 528 mayinterface.

TABLE 29 Illustrative resources. Illustrative resources Segment controlmodule 524 Local IP devices (e.g., Contro14) Fixture controllers otherthan fixture controller 520, and having one or more features in commonwith fixture controller 520 Cloud resources Devices associated withinputs 534 Other suitable resources

Table 30 lists illustrative message types for communications betweensegment control module 524 and Wi-Fi module 528.

TABLE 30 Illustrative message types for communications between segmentcontrol module 524 and Wi-Fi module 528. Illustrative SCM-WIFI Modulecommunications Instruction(s) Argument(s) NODE_GET_PARAM WIFI Module toSCM Fixture Address SCM to WIFI Module Data structure containing fixtureparameters Device, general Device index Acknowledge or Failure CodeValue contains static and dynamic parameter Value contains only dynamicparameter. Device ID YYYYMMDD(BCD) Factory list Model number Led drivermodel number Rate current output Percentage of customize current level(0.01%) PCB version (ASCII) Firmware: minor version, major version (BCD)Communication protocol version: minor version, major version (BCD) LightPointer to respond list On/Off: 0: off, 1: on. Dimming curve mode, 0:linear, 1: logarithm. Soft on fade rate(s). 0: disable, 0xFF: invalidfunction Fade to black rate(s). 0: disable, 0xFF: invalid functionInitial status level (0.01%) (power on) Color temperature mix level,(0.01%) NODE CONTROL Luminance level, (0.01%) WIFI Module to SCM Channelnumber :( m <= 12) Address and Command Index 0 SCM to WIFI ModuleChannel 0, dimming level (0.01%) Acknowledgement or Failure Code Index mChannel m, dimming level (0.01%) STM32 Device0 ID Device1 ID ... DeviceNID Motion Senso Pointer to respond list On/Off, 0 = off. 1 = on. Productlifetime (hour) Trigger state, 0 = no trigger, 1 = triggered.Sensitivity level. Range of detection (feet) Standby time(s) Daylightsensor Pointer to respond list On/Off, 0 = off. 1 = on. Trigger state, 0= no trigger, 1 = triggered. Sensitivity level Product lifetime (hour)Motorlight Pointer to Respond List On/Off, 0 = off. 1 = on. Dimmingcurve mode, 0 = linear. 1 = logarithm. Product lifetime Soft on faderate(s). 0 = disable, 0xFF = invalid function. Fade to black rate(s). 0= disable, 0xFF = invalid function Initial status level (0.01%) Colortemperature mix level, (0.01%) Luminance level, (0.01%) Axis, 7: up, 6:down, 5: left, 4: right. Lens, (0.01%) Channel number(m <= 12) Index0Channel 0, dimming level (0.01%) Index m Channel m, dimming level(0.01%) CREATE GROUP WIFI Module to SCM Create New Group SCM to WIFIModule Address for the newly requested group GROUP CONTROL WIFI Moduleto SCM Group Address and Command SCM to WIFI Module Acknowledgement orFailure Code SET FIXTURE PARAMETER WIFI Module to SCM Device ID ValueOn/Off: 0: off, 1: on. Dimming curve mode, 0: linear, 1: logarithm. Softon fade rate(s). 0: disable, 0xFF: invalid function Fade to blackrate(s). 0: disable, 0xFF: invalid function Initial status level scale =0.01% Luminance level scale = 0.01% Color temperature mix level scale =0.01% Dimming channel (RED) Scale = 0.01% Dimming channel (GREEN) Scale= 0.01% Dimming channel (BLUE) Scale = 0.01% Dimming channel (WHITE)scale = 0.01% Dimming channel (COOL) scale = 0.01% Dimming channel(WARM) scale = 0.01% Sensitivity level. Range of detection(feet) Standbytime(s) Motor light Axis Motor light Lens SCM to WIFI Module 1:Successful 0: Fail NODE ADD WIFI Module to SCM 0: Add all device 2: Addmotion 3: Add motor 4: Add daylight 5: Add light SCM to WIFI Module 1:Successful 0: Fail NODE DELETE WIFI Module to SCM Device ID SCM to WIFIModule Acknowledgement or Failure Code NODE OTA (Over the Air (firmwareupdate))READY WIFI Module to SCM Device ID SCM to WIFI Module 1:Successful 0: Fail NODE OTA FIRMWARE INFO WIFI Module to SCM Device IDPacket number Checksum entire firmware updated SCM to WIFI ModuleSuccessful 0: Fail SEND NODE FIRMWARE PACKET TO SCM WIFI Module to SCMID Packet index Firmware data SCM to WIFI Module 1: Successful 0: FailNODE OTA FINISH WIFI Module to SCM ID SCM to WIFI Module 1: Successful0: Fail RESET WIFI Module to SCM 1: Factory reset 0: Common reset SCM toWIFI Module 1: Successful 0: Fail

Architecture 500 may be an architecture in which some or allcommunications between segment control module 524 and Wi-Fi module 528are initiated by Wi-Fi module 528.

Architecture 500 may be an architecture in which some or allcommunications between segment control module 524 and Wi-Fi module 528are initiated by segment control module 524.

Transceiver 530 may receive communications 410 from segment controlmodule 524. Transceiver 530 may transmit communications 410 to fixturesupport 508. Transceiver 530 may receive power from power block 532.

Power block 532 may receive current from control power unit 522. Thecurrent may include DC current. The current may include AC current.Power block 532 may receive the current at a voltage. The voltage may be48 V. Table 31 lists illustrative ranges that may include the voltage.

TABLE 31 Illustrative voltage ranges. Illustrative voltage ranges (V)Lower Upper 0 5 5 10 10 15 15 20 20 25 25 30 30 35 35 40 40 45 45 50 5055 55 60 60 >60 Other Other suitable suitable lower upper limits limits

Power block 532 may provide output voltage to components of fixturecontroller 520. The output may include an AC voltage. The output mayinclude a DC voltage. Power block 532 may provide different outputvoltages to different components of fixture 510. Table 32 listsillustrative output voltage ranges that may include the output voltage.

TABLE 32 Illustrative output voltage ranges. Illustrative voltage ranges(V) Lower Upper 0 5 5 10 10 15 15 20 20 25 25 30 30 35 35 40 40 45 45 5050 55 55 60 60 >60 Other Other suitable suitable lower upper limitslimits

The output voltage may be a step-down from 48 VDC to 12 VDC. The outputvoltage may be a step-down from 48 VDC to 5 VDC. The output voltage maybe a step-down from 48 VDC to 3.3 VDC.

User interface 526 may include Triac/ELV interface 536. User interface526 may include 0-10 V interface 538. User interface 526 may includemodular interface connector 540. User interface 526 may include DMXmodule 544.

Triac/ELV interface 536 may include a receptacle for a Triac/ELVconnector.

0-10 V interface 538 may include a receptacle for a 0-10 V connector.

Modular interface 540 may include a receptacle for a modular interfaceconnector.

DMX module 544 may include a microprocessor. DMX module 544 may includea receptacle for a DMX connector.

Interface 526 may include one or more sockets (not shown in FIG. 5 ). Asocket may receive a cartridge. The cartridge may include one or more ofthe receptacles. Each receptacle may be configured to mate with aconnector corresponding to an input 506. The cartridge may be insertablein, and removable from, the socket by the user. The cartridge mayinclude terminals that match corresponding terminals in the socket. Thesocket may be used to receive signals from different inputs 506 inconjunction with a corresponding cartridge that is configured to matewith the desired input 506 and with interface 526.

Inputs 534 may include control system 550, such as those available underthe tradenames Savant (available from Savant Systems, Inc., Hyannis,Mass.), Lutron (available from Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.,Coopersburg, Pa.), Crestron (available from Crestron Electronics, Inc.,Rockleigh, N.J.), Control4 (available from Wirepath Home Systems, LLC,dba Control4, Salt Lake city, Utah) and others.

Inputs 534 may include mobile app 552, such as a mobile app available inconjunction with operating systems available under the tradenamesAndroid (associated with the Open Handset Alliance, Mountainview,Calif.) and iOS (available from Apple Inc., Cupertino, Calif.) andothers.

Inputs 534 may include communication from AWS IoT Core 554 (availablefrom Amazon Web Services, Inc, Seattle, Wash.).

Inputs 534 may include other fixture controllers 556. Fixturecontrollers of other fixtures controllers 556 may have one or morefeatures in common with fixture controller 520.

Inputs 534 may include remote control 558. Remote control 558 mayinclude a wall control. Remote control 558 may include one or moredevices that communicate under a Bluetooth protocol. The Bluetoothprotocol may be a Bluetooth LE protocol.

One or more of inputs 534 may be in communication with WIFI module 524under a RESTful web service protocol.

Inputs 506 may include Triac/ELV unit 560.

Inputs 506 may include 0-10V connector 562.

Inputs 506 may include DMX controller 564.

Inputs 506 may include user activation input 566. User activation input566 may include key-activation, touch-screen activation, contact-freeinteraction or any other suitable user activation input.

Inputs 506 may include keypad 542. Keypad 542 may include a display.Keypad 542 may include keys. Keypad 542 may include a touchscreen.

Power unit 522 may include transformer 546. Transformer 546 may receivepower from power line LP. Powerline LP may provide 120 VAC, 220 VAC, orany other suitable power.

Transformer 546 may provide output power to fixture arrangement 502.Transformer 546 may provide output power to fixture controller 520. Theoutput power may include an AC voltage. The output may include a DCvoltage. Transformer 546 may provide different output power to differentdestinations, such as fixture arrangement 502, fixture controller 520,or an auxiliary destination. Table 33 lists illustrative output voltageranges that may include an output voltage of transformer 546.

TABLE 33 Illustrative output voltage ranges. Illustrative voltage ranges(V) Lower Upper 0 5 5 10 10 15 15 20 20 25 25 30 30 35 35 40 40 45 45 5050 55 55 60 60 >60 Other Other suitable suitable lower upper limitslimits

The output voltage of transformer 546 may be a step-down from 120 VAC or220 VAC to 48 VDC.

Communications such as 410 between segment control module 524 and devicecontrol module 516 may be transmitted along a bus. The bus may be aconductor. The conductor may connect segment control module 524 anddevice control module 516. Communications 410 may conform to a busprotocol.

Segment control module 524 may manage one or more groups of fixtures.

A group may include one, two or more fixtures. The group may be managedby The segment control module may manage one, two or more groups. Thefixtures in a group may be controlled together as one entity. A groupwill may be represented as a single network address. The address may berecognized on a segment. The segment control module may communicate withthe fixtures of a group using a multicast networking approach.

The segment control module may notify a fixture when the fixture hasbeen added to a group. The segment control module may notify a fixturewhen the fixture has been registered to a network address of the group.The device control unit of a fixture in a group may be programmed to acton all control messages that are addressed to the group network address.The segment control module may notify a fixture when the fixture hasbeen removed from a group. The segment control module may notify afixture when the fixture has been de-registered from a network addressof the group. The device control unit of a fixture that is not in agroup may be programmed, e.g., by default, to not act on controlmessages that are addressed to the group network address.

Architecture 500 may include one, two or more fixture control modulessuch as fixture control module 504. The fixture control modules may bein a single location. The fixture control modules may be in differentlocations. Two or more fixture control modules that are connected to thesame OSI Layer 2 network may be considered to be in the same location.

A command that sets the state of one or more fixtures in a location maybe considered a “scene.” Within a scene, fixture parameters of allfixtures may be set independently of other fixtures in the scene.Architecture 500 may support 200 scenes, or more, or less, in alocation. A scene may be defined to include fixtures associated with oneor more fixture control modules such as 520.

A scene may be used to effect a group when fixtures in differentsegments are desired to be managed as if they were in a single-segmentgroup.

Table 34 lists illustrative address-related communications betweensegment control module 524 and device control module 516.

TABLE 34 Illustrative address-related communications between segmentcontrol module 524 and device control module 516. ADDRESS Instruction(s)Argument(s) Set the DCM to generate a random number and delay, thenreply once SCM to DCM Illegal DCM DCM TO SCM Legal DCM All DCMs Maximumrandom number [x] = delay unit. Delay time = (random number *payload[x]) (ms) Pointer to RespondList Set the DCM to accept currentSCM ID SCM to DCM SCM ID DCM TO SCM Acknowledge or Failure Code Pointerto RespondList Set the DCM to delete SCM ID accepted SCM to DCM SCM IDDCM TO SCM Acknowledge or Failure Code Pointer to RespondList Get theSCM ID accepted by the DCM SCM to DCM REQUEST_SCM_ID DCM TO SCM Pointerto RespondList SCM ID

Table 35 lists illustrative operation-related communications betweensegment control module 524 and device control module 516.

TABLE 35 Illustrative operation-related communications between segmentcontrol module 524 and device control module 516. OPERATIONInstruction(s) Argument(s) Get product info SCM to DCMGET_PRODUCT_INFOPointer DCM TO SCM to RespondList Data structurecontaining information on the fixture for which the DCM ishousedYYYYMMDD(BCD) YY YY MM DD Pointer to FactoryList Model number(ASCII) Model number of led driver (ASCII) Rated current output level ID(mA) Percentage of customize current level (0.01%) Schematic version(ASCII), PCB version (ASCII) DeviceID Firmware version (BCD) Major Busprotocol (BCD) Major Minor Device type (Pointer to tab DeviceCategory)Initial status level (0.01%) Set product info Manufacturing to DCM Datastructure containing fixture pammetersYYYYMMDD(BCD) Pointer toFactoryList Model number (ASCII) Model number of led driver (ASCII)Rated current output Level ID (mA) Percentage of customize current Level(0.01%) Schematic version (ASCII), PCB version (ASCII) DeviceID Initialstatus level (0.01%) DCM to specialized tool Acknowledge or Failure CodePointer to RespondList Get current state of DCM SCM to DCMGet_Product_State Pointer to RespondList DCM (lighting Data structurecontaining information fixture) to SCM on fixture state. Including:On/Off, 0 = off, 1 = On Dimming curve mode, 0 = linear. 1 = logarithmProduct lifetime (hour) Soft on fade rate Fade to black rate Initialstatus level (0.01%) (power on) Color temperature mix level, (0.01%)luminance level, (0.01%) Channel number Channel index (Pointer to tabSetParameterTable) Channel dimming level (0.01%) ... Channel index(Pointer to tab SetParameterTable) Channel dimming level (0.01%) DCM(motorize track Data structure containing information head) to SCM onfixture state. Including:Pointer to RespondList On/Off, 0 = off, 1 = onDimming curve mode, 0 = linear. 1 = logarithm Product lifetime (hour)Soft on fade rate Fade to black rate Initial status level (0.01%) Colortemperature mix level, (0.01%) Luminance level, (0.01%) Up/down positionLeft/right position Lens position Channel number Channel index (Pointerto tab SetParameterTable) Channel index (Pointer to tabSetParameterTable) Channel dimming level (0.01%) Set the parameter toDCM and DCM return state info SCM to DCM (lighting fixture) SCM to DCM(motion sensor) SCM to DCM (daylight sensor) SCM to DCM (motorize trackhead) DCM TO SCM Pointer to RespondList Get product lifetime from DCMSCM to DCM Pointer to RespondList DCM TO SCM Product lifetime (hour)

Table 36 lists illustrative group-related communications between segmentcontrol module 524 and device control module 516.

TABLE 36 Illustrative group-related communications between segmentcontrol module 524 and device control module 516. GROUP Instruction(s)Argument(s) Set specific DCMs to join specific group SCM to DCM Groupnumber Device1 ID Device2 ID... Set specific DCMs to quit from specificgroup SCM to DCM Group number Device1 ID Device2 ID... Delete specificgroup number from specific DCM SCM to DCM Number of group, 999 = deleteall groups Group number one by one DCM TO SCM Acknowledge or FailureCode Pointer to RespondList Get group number from the DCM SCM to DCMGET_GROUP_MEMBERSHIP DCM TO SCM Pointer to RespondList Number of groupGroup number one by one

Table 37 lists illustrative broadcast-related communications betweensegment control module 524 and device control module 516.

TABLE 37 Illustrative broadcast-related communications between segmentcontrol module 524 and device control module 516. BROADCASTInstruction(s) Argument(s) Broadcast operation SCM to DCM Group number,0 = all device operation, other value is corresponding group numberPointer to tab SetParameterTable

Table 38 lists illustrative update-related communications betweensegment control module 524 and device control module 516.

TABLE 38 Illustrative update-related communications between segmentcontrol module 524 and device control module 516. UPDATE Instruction(s)Argument(s) Set DCM is ready to update firmware SCM to DCM START_Pointerto RespondList DCM TO SCM FIRMWARE UPDATE Set updated packet info to DCMSCM to DCM Length of data content in bin file DCM TO SCM Acknowledge orFailure Code Pointer to RespondList Set specific packet to DCM SCM toDCM Specific packet number DCM TO SCM Corresponding content Acknowledgeor Failure Code Pointer to RespondList Set DCM to end update SCM to DCMPointer to RespondList DCM TO SCM END_FIRMWARE_UPDATE

FIG. 6 shows illustrative cartridge 600. Cartridge 600 is seated insocket 602 in interface 526 (shown in FIG. 5 ). Cartridge 600 includesreceptacle 604 for receiving an input 506. Cartridge 600 may includeterminals 606 for communicating electronically with interface 526 offixture controller 520. Receptacles 604 may be configured to match astandard commercially available connector corresponding to one of inputs506.

FIG. 7 shows illustrative cartridge 700. Cartridge 700 is seated insocket 602 in interface 526 (shown in FIG. 5 ). Cartridge 700 includesreceptacle 704 for receiving an input 506 of fixture controller 520.Cartridge 700 includes terminals 606 for communicating electronicallywith interface 526. Receptacles 704 may be configured to match astandard commercially available connector corresponding to one of inputs506.

Receptacle 704 may be configured such that it cannot receive a connectorthat may be received by receptacle 604. Receptacle 604 may be configuredsuch that it cannot receive a connector that may be received byreceptacle 704.

FIG. 8 shows illustrative fixture support 800. Fixture support 800 mayhave one or more features in common with fixture support 310 (shown inFIG. 3 ). Fixture support 800 may include spine 802. Fixture support mayinclude panel 804. Fixture support may include panel 806. Spine 802,panel 804 and panel 806 may define fixture docking area 808. Spine 802,panel 804 and panel 806 may define connector slot 810. Panel 804 andpanel 806 may define fixture slot 812. Fixtures such as 316 (shown inFIG. 3 ) may be docked in docking area 808. Fixtures such as 318 (shownin FIG. 3 ) may be mounted in fixture slot 812. Fixture docking tier 814may be disposed between panel 804 and 806.

FIG. 9 is a view of fixture support 800 that is different from thatshown in FIG. 8 . FIG. 9 shows that spine 802 may include bridge 902.Bridge 902 may span between panel 804 and panel 806. Fixture dockingtier 814 may extend longitudinally to the left along longitudinaldirection L (left). End 904 of tier 814 may be flush with end 906 offixture support 800. Tier 814 may include platform 908. Tier 814 mayinclude connection field 912. Bridge 902 may include abutment 910.Abutment 910 may be set back to the right along direction L (right) fromend 904. The directions L (left) and R (right) are for description ofrelative positions within fixture support 800, and do not necessarilydefine an orientation of fixture support 800 relative to any other frameof reference.

FIG. 10 shows that platform 908 may be disposed above, in direction V(up), from connection field 912. The directions V (up) and V (down) arefor description of relative positions within fixture support 800, and donot necessarily define an orientation of fixture support 800 relative toany other frame of reference. Platform 908 may include abutment 1002between platform 908 and connection field 912.

Tier 814 may include back-plate 1004. Back-plate 1004 may extend above,and define a right limit of, connection field 912. Connection field 912may provide access, from above tier 814, to conductors in tier 814. Aconnector bridging from another fixture support to fixture support 800may thus be made without interfering with fixture docking area 808 belowtier 814.

Docking tier 814 may include conductor 1006. Docking tier 814 mayinclude conductor 1008. Docking tier 814 may include conductor 1010.Docking tier 814 may include conductor 1012. A pair of the conductors,one positive and one negative, may be a communication bus that maytransmit communications 410 (shown in FIG. 4 ). A pair of theconductors, one positive and one negative, may be a power rail that maytransmit power from transformer 546 (shown in FIG. 5 ). Docking tier 814may include magnetic strip 1014. Back-plate 1004 may include ribs such1016. Back-plate 1004 may include grooves 1018, 1020, 1022 and 1024.Together with bridge 902, grooves 1018, 1020, 1022 and 1024 may formslots 1026, 1028, 1030 and 1032.

Panel 804 may include groove 1034. Panel 806 may include groove 1036.The grooves may engage with a complementary feature on a fixture such as316 (shown in FIG. 3 ). Panel 804 may include ridge 1038. Panel 806 mayinclude ridge 1040. The ridges may engage with a complementary featureon the fixture.

Docking tier 814 may be disposed in slot 1028.

Fixture support 800 may include slot 1041. Slot 1041 may be above tier814. Slot 1041 may receive a fixture support connector.

Fixture support 800 may include slot 1042. Slot 1042 may be above slot1041. Slot 1042 may include grooves 1044 and 1046. Slot 1042 may receivea fixture such as fixture 318 (shown in FIG. 3 ).

Fixture support 800 may include overhangs 1048 and 1050.

Fixture support 800 may define U-channel 1052. U-channel 1052 may bedefined by docking tier 814, panel 804 and panel 806. Panel 804 mayinclude distal edge 1054. Panel 806 may include distal edge 1056. Thefixture may be retractable within U-channel 1052. A lowest extreme ofthe fixture may be retracted above distal edge 1054. A lowest extreme ofthe fixture may be retracted above distal edge 1056. The lowest extrememay be a lip.

Fixture support 814 may have docking area width 1058.

FIG. 11 shows that conductors 1006, 1008, 1010 and 1012 may be disposedin grooves 1128, 1130, 1132 and 1134, respectively. Tier 814 may includelips 1144, 1146, 1148 and 1150, corresponding to grooves 1128, 1130,1132 and 1134. The lips may retain the conductors in tier 814. Tier 814may include tapers 1153, 1155, 1157 and 1159, corresponding to grooves1128, 1130, 1132 and 1134. A taper may guide a terminal from a fixturesuch as 316 toward a conductor. A taper may guide a terminal from afixture such as 316 into electrical communication with a conductor. Ataper may guide a terminal from a fixture such as 316 into directcontact with a conductor. Gaps 1152, 1154, 1156, and 1158 may provideaccess for direct contact between the fixture and a conductor.

Magnetic strip 1014 may be disposed in groove such as 1160. Tier 814 mayinclude lip 1162 for retaining magnetic strip 1014. Gap 1164 may exposemagnetic strip 1014. Gap 1164 may have a magnetic permeability that isless than that of body 1168 of tier 814. Gap 1164 may be a gap thatincludes no solid material.

FIG. 12 shows that docking area 808 (shown in FIG. 8 ) may have width1100. Width 100 may be commensurate with docking area width 1058.Docking area 808 may have left end 1102. Left end 1102 may be coincidentwith end 906. Docking area 808 may have a counterpart end on an oppositeend (not shown) of fixture support 800. One or more of conductors 1006,1008, 1010 and 1012, grooves 1128, 1130, 1132 and 1134, tapers 1153,1155, 1157 and 1159, gaps 1152, 1154, 1156, and 1158, groove 1160 andgap 1164 may extend between left end 1102 and the opposite right end offixture support 800.

FIG. 13 shows that support 800 may include wall 1302. Wall 1302, afacing, opposite wall (not shown) on panel 804, and abutment 910 mayform bay 1304 in which a connector may be lodged. Rail 1306 may be matedwith a corresponding groove on the connector. Another rail (not shown)on panel 804 may be mated with another corresponding groove on theconnector. The panels and rails may secure the connector againstrotation about a longitudinal axis in directions L. The panels and railsmay secure the connector against rotation about a vertical axis indirections V.

Abutment 1002, field 912 and back-plate 1004 may form recess 1308 inwhich the connector can make electrical contact with conductors.Abutment 1002 may be oriented at an angle with respect to field 912. Theangle may be sufficiently steep to retain the connector. The angle maybe sufficiently shallow to allow the connector to be withdrawn by a userby hand by overcoming resistance of the slope.

Fixture support 800 may include hole 1310. Hole 1310 may provideclearance for a fastener. The fastener may be threaded for engagementwith the connector after the connector is inserted in fixture support800.

FIG. 14 . shows illustrative connector 1400. Connector 1400 may includebase 1402. Connector 1400 may include cap 1404. Connector 1400 mayinclude cover 1406. Connector 1400 may include port 1408. Connector 1400may include port 1410. Connector 1400 may include contact 1412.Connector 1400 may include contact 1414. Contact 1412 may be inelectrical communication with contact 1414. A contact may include asprung terminal.

Cover 1406 may include foot 1416. Cover 1406 may include foot 1418.

Contact 1412 may be biased to extend through a slot (not shown) in foot1416. Contact 1414 may be biased to extend through a slot (not shown) infoot 1418.

Brace 1420 may encompass a first region of connector 1400. Brace 1422may encompass a second region of connector 1400. Brace 1422 may have oneor more features in common with brace 1420.

Brace 1424 may be inserted into slot 1041 to lodge brace 1424 in fixturesupport 800. Foot 1418 may be disposed in recess 1308. Contact 1414 maybe urged downward into contact with a conductor in field 912.

Brace 1422 may provide to, or receive from, brace 1420 electricalcontinuity. Brace 1422 may provide to, or receive from, brace 1420mechanical stability. When brace 1422 and brace 1422 are lodged in endsof different fixture supports, the fixture supports may be abuttedwithout encroaching upon the fixture docking area of either fixturesupport.

FIG. 15 shows brace 1422 lodged in fixture support 800 (shown in partialcross-section). Screw 1502 may fasten brace 1422 to fixture 800.

FIG. 16 shows connector 1400.

FIG. 16 shows that connector 1400 may include contacts 1602, 1606 and1610, which may be in electrical communication, respectively, withcontacts 1604, 1608 and 1612. Contacts 1414, 1604, 1608 and 1612 may bealigned, respectively, with conductors 1006, 1008, 1010 and 1012.Contacts 1412, 1602, 1606 and 1610 may be aligned with conductorsdisposed in a different fixture connector and corresponding toconductors 1006, 1008, 1010 and 1012 to provide electrical communicationbetween conductors 1006, 1008, 1010 and 1012 and the correspondingconductors.

Grooves 1614 and 1616 may engage, respectively, rail 1306 and thecomplementary rail in fixture support 800. Grooves 1618 and 1620 mayengage, respectively, in a different fixture support, a railcorresponding to rail 1306 and a rail corresponding to the complementaryrail in fixture support 800.

FIG. 17 shows that ports 1408 and 1410 may include terminals. Each oneof the terminals in port 1408 may be in electrical communication with acorresponding one of contacts 1412, 1602, 1606 and 1610. Each one of theterminals in port 1410 may be in electrical communication with acorresponding one of contacts 1414, 1604, 1608 and 1612.

FIG. 18 shows base 1402 with cover 1406 removed. Base 1402 may includeplate 1800. Plate 1800 may include conductors for providing electricalcommunication between the contacts and corresponding terminals in ports1408 and 1410. Contacts 1412 and 1414 may be connected by cross-piece1802. Contact 1412 may be suspended from plate 1800 by spring 1804.Contact 1414 may be suspended from plate 1800 by spring 1806. The othercontacts may be connected by corresponding cross-pieces. The othercontacts may be suspended by corresponding springs.

The springs may allow the contacts to retract in response to contactwith platform 908 upon insertion of connector 1400 into fixture support800. The springs may retain the contacts in contact with the connectorswhen head is in recess 1308.

FIG. 19 shows contacts and springs in brace 1422. Plate 1800 may includeconductors 1902, 1904, 1906 and 1908. Conductors 1902, 1904, 1906 and1908 may provide electrical communication between springs 1806, 1908,1910 and 1912, respectively, and corresponding terminals in port 1410.Contacts 1414, 1604, 1608 and 1612 may include tabs such as tab 1914.Springs 1806, 1908, 1910 and 1912 may be in electrical communicationwith corresponding tabs. Contacts 1414, 1604, 1608 and 1612 may thuschange position relative to plate 1800 and maintain electricalcommunication with conductors 1902, 1904, 1906 and 1908, and thecorresponding contacts of brace 1420.

Brace 1420 may include an arrangement analogous to that of brace 1424.

FIG. 20 shows illustrative connector 2000. Connector 2000 may includebrace 2002. Brace 2002 may have one or more features in common withbrace 1422 (shown in FIG. 14 ). Connector 2000 may include bundle 2004of conductors. Connector 2000 may include wall 2006.

Bundle 2004 may include power conductors. Bundle 2004 may include powerconductors for power transmission. Bundle 2004 may include communicationconductors for communications such as 410. Bundle 2004 may be includedin a cable such as cable 317.

Wall 2006 may include an electrically non-conductive plate. When brace2002 is lodged in a fixture support such as 800, wall 2006 may abut ornearly abut an end of the fixture support, such as end 906. Wall 2006may be disposed in abutment or near abutment with, and perpendicular to,docking tier 814.

Brace 2002 may include port 2008. Brace 2002 may include cover 2010.

Fitting 2012 may mechanically fix bundle 2004 to brace 2002.

FIG. 21 shows illustrative brace 2002 from view lines 21-21 (show inFIG. 20 ), with wall 2006 and cover 2010 removed. Power conductors 2102and 2104 may provide power to cross-pieces 2106 and 2108, respectively.Communication conductors 2110 and 2112 may provide communications tocross-pieces 2114 and 2116, respectively. Power conductors 2102 and 2104may be electrically isolated from cross-pieces 2114 and 2116.Communication conductors 2110 and 2112 may be electrically isolated fromcross-pieces 2106 and 2108.

Cross-piece ends 2118, 2120, 2122 and 2124 may be anchored to plate2126. Cross-piece ends 2118, 2120, 2122 and 2124 may be free ends.

FIG. 22 shows illustrative hub arrangement 2200. Hub arrangement 2200may include junction 2202. Hub arrangement 2200 may include brace 2204.Brace 2204 may have one or more features in common with brace 1422(shown in FIG. 14 ). Hub arrangement 2200 may include bracket 2206.Bracket 2206 may be seated in annular receptacle 2208 between spacer2210, lower unit 2212 and upper unit 2213. Bracket 2206 may be slidablecircumferentially in directions C about spacer 2210.

Brace 2204 may mechanically and electrically engage with a fixturesupport such as 800 (shown in FIG. 8 ).

Bracket 2206 may include power and communication conductors (not shown)that are in electrical communication with contacts of brace 2204. Thebracket 2206 power and communication conductors (not shown) may be inelectrical communication with corresponding power and communicationconductors (not shown) of junction 2202.

Bracket 2206 may include switch 2214. Switch 2214 may include knob 2215.Switch 2214 may close to provide electrical communication between thebracket 2206 conductors and the junction 2202 conductors. Switch 2214may open to interrupt electrical communication between the bracket 2206conductors and the junction 2202 conductors. In an arrangement in whichjunction 2202 provides power to the fixture support, switch 2214 may beused to set whether the fixtures of the fixture support have access topower. In an arrangement in which junction 2202 provides communicationto the fixture support, switch 2214 may be used to set whether thefixtures of the fixture support have access to communication.

Bracket 2206 may include carriage 2216. Carriage 2216 may supportbracket 2206 at a fixed radial distance from centerline L of junction2202. Carriage 2216 may support bracket 2206 at a fixed verticalposition relative to junction 2202.

Pegs 2218 together may form lower fence 2220. Pegs 2218 may includescrews, bolts, threaded rod, or the like. Lower fence 2220 may guidecarriage 2216 as carriage 2216 is moved about spacer 2210. Upper unit2213 may include upper fence (not shown). The upper fence and lowerfence 2220 may keep support bracket 2206 at a fixed radial distance fromcenterline L of junction 2202. The upper fence and lower fence 2220 maysupport bracket 2206 at a fixed vertical position relative to junction2202.

Bracket 2206 may include surface 2222 that may conform to outer surface2224 of upper unit 2213. Bracket 2206 may include surface 2226 that mayconform to outer surface 2228 of lower unit 2212. Outer surface 2226 maybe an extension of outer surface 2224.

Carriage 2216 may include surface 2228 that may conform to outer surface2230 of spacer 2210.

FIG. 23 shows surfaces 2222, 2226 and 2228 and groove 2221. Carriage2216 may include carriage extension 2302. Carriage extension 2302 may beinserted into the upper fence of upper unit 2213.

FIG. 24 shows pins 2400 extending through top 2402 of carriage 2216.Carriage 2216 may include a pin 2400 (three of four shown) correspondingto, and in electrical communication with, each of the contacts in brace2204. Carriage extension 2302 may have surface 2404. Surface 2404 mayinteract with the upper fence to retain carriage 2216 in its operationalposition in receptacle 2208.

FIG. 25 shows arrangement 2500 for providing electrical continuitythrough brace 2204, bracket 2206 and carriage 2216, which are partiallyshown, to upper unit 2213 loop conductors 2515 of junction 2202. Contact2502 may be a communication signal contact. Contact 2504 may be a powercontact. Cross-piece 2506 may run from contact 2502 to terminal 2508.Zig-zag spring 2507 may support cross-piece below plate 2509 of brace2204.

Switch 2214 may include slide 2513. Switch 2214 may include material2517. Material 2517 may include material that is not electricallyconductive to DC current. Material 2517 may include material that is notelectrically conductive to AC current. Material 2517 may includematerial that has dielectric properties. Switch 2214 may includematerial 2519. Material 2519 may include material that is electricallyconductive to DC current. Material 2517 may include material that iselectrically conductive to AC current. Material 2519 may be arranged inslide 2513 as feedthroughs, such as 2509.

Terminal 2508 may be switched into electrical communication withterminal 2510 via feedthrough 2511.

Slide 2513 may be moved up to bring into electrical communicationterminal 2508, terminal 2510 and feedthrough 2511. Terminal 2508 may beswitched out of electrical communication with terminal 2510 by slidingslide 2513 to take feedthrough 2511 out of electrical communication withterminal 2508 and terminal 2510.

Slide 2513 may be fixed to knob 2215. A user may slide slide 2513 up ordown by moving knob 2215 up or down, respectively. Terminals 2508 and2510 may be urged toward each other by springs 2512 and 2514,respectively. Panels 2516 and 2518 may provide reactive forces tosprings 2512 and 2514, respectively.

The other contacts of brace 2204 may be analogously in electricalcommunication with pins 2524, 2526 and 2528. The pins may be sprung tourge them into contact with the loop conductors. Power conducting pins2524 and 2526 may have diameters greater than those of communicationpins 2522 and 2528.

FIG. 26 shows illustrative bracket chassis 2602. Chassis 2602 may bemonolithic with cover 2010. Chassis 2602 may be fixed to bracket 2206.Chassis 2602 may include slot 2604. Slot 2604 may guide the sliding ofslide 2513 (shown in an OFF position). Chassis 2602 may supportstructure 2606. Structure 2606 may include a ledge such as ledge 2608.Structure 2606 may include a facet such as facet 2610. Terminal 2520 mayinclude upper prong 2612. Terminal 2520 may include lower prong 2614.Facet 2610 may interfere with upward motion of upper prong 2612. Ledge2608 may interfere with downward motion of lower prong 2614. Chassis2602 and structure 2606 may thus retain terminal 2510 in a verticalposition or range when slide 2513 is moved up or down.

FIG. 27 shows bracket chassis 2602 from a perspective different fromthat shown in FIG. 26 . Chassis 2602 may support structure 2706.Structure 2706 may include a ledge such as ledge 2708. Structure 2706may include a facet such as facet 2710. Facet 2710 may interfere withupward motion of terminal 2508. Ledge 2708 may interfere with downwardmotion of terminal 2508. Chassis 2602 and structure 2706 may thus retainterminal 2508 in a vertical position or range when slide 2513 is movedup or down.

Feedthroughs 2511, 2702, 2704 and 2705 are positioned away from, and notin electrical communication with, corresponding terminals such as 2508and 2520. Knob 2215 is in the OFF position. Slide 2513 is in a loweredposition.

FIG. 28 shows bracket chassis 2602 with slide 2513 in a raised positionin slot 2604 (occluded). Knob 2215 is in the ON position. Feedthroughs2511, 2702 (occluded), 2704 (occluded) and 2705 (occluded) arepositioned in line with, and in electrical communication with,corresponding terminals such as 2508 and 2520.

FIG. 29 shows brace 2204 in part. Zig-zag spring 2507 may provideresilient mechanical support to cross-piece 2506 from plate 2509.Zig-zag spring 2507 may provide electrical communication between contact2502 and conductor 2902 in plate 2509. Spring 2904 may provide resilientmechanical support to contact 2502 from plate 2509. Spring 2904 mayprovide electrical communication between contact 2502 and conductor 2902in plate 2509.

FIG. 30 shows bracket 2206 mechanically and electrically engaged withjunction 2202. Upper unit 2213 may include disc 3002. Disc 3002 mayinclude loop conductors 2515. Loop conductors 2515 may includeconductors 3004, 3006, 3008 and 3010. Conductors 3004, 3006, 3008 and3010 may be in electrical communication with contacts 2502, 2504, 3012and 3014.

Upper unit 2213 may include upper fence 3016. Upper fence 3016 mayreceive carriage extension 2302. Upper fence 3016 may include surface3018 for retaining carriage extension 2302 against motion in a directionradially away from the central axis of junction 2202.

Lower unit 2212 may include bottom 3020.

FIG. 31 shows brace 2204, bracket 2206, carriage 2216 and junction 2202,with bottom 3020 removed. Heads such as 3102 of lower fence 2220 pegs2218 may be accessed through plate 3104. Heads 3102 may be turned toraise and lower pegs 2218. Pegs 2218 may include a threaded section (notshown) that may be threadingly engaged with lower unit 2212. Pegs 2218may be sprung to bias pegs 2218 toward carriage 2216. Detents (notshown) may retain pegs 2218, if sprung, to retain the pegs in a state inwhich the peg springs are compressed. Plate 3104 may include indicantssuch as 3108 to indicate degrees of arc about the central axis ofjunction 2202. A bracket such as 2206 may be moved continuously aboutthe central axis and set at an arc angle chosen by the user.

Fasteners such as 3106 may hold plate 3104 to lower unit 2212. Fastenerssuch as 3110 may pass through spacer 2210 into upper unit 2213.Fasteners 3110 may fasten upper unit 2213, spacer 2210 and lower unit2212.

The user may install carriage 2216 injunction 2202. Bottom 3020 may beremoved from junction 2202. A selection of heads 3102 may be turned tolower corresponding pegs 2218. Carriage 2216 may be inserted intoreceptacle 2208. The selection of heads 3102 may be turned to raisecorresponding pegs 2218. Pegs 2218 may be tightened to make snug theengagement of carriage extension 2302 with upper fence 3016. Pegs 2218may be tightened to position one or more of: carriage extension 2302relative to upper fence 3016; lower fence 2220 relative to groove 2221;bracket 2206 surface 2222 relative to outer surface 2224 of upper unit2213; bracket 2206 surface 2226 relative to outer surface 2228 of lowerunit 2212; and carriage 2216 surface 2228 relative to outer surface 2228of spacer 2210; pins 2400 relative to conductors 3004, 3006, 3008 and3010.

The user may remove carriage 2216 from junction 2202 by turning aselection of heads 3102 to lower corresponding pegs 2218. The user maythen remove carriage 2216 from receptacle 2208.

FIG. 32 shows arrangement 3200. Arrangement 3200 may include junction2202, brace 2204 and bracket 2206. Arrangement 3200 may include fiveother braces that may have one or more features in common with brace2204. Arrangement 3200 may include five other brackets that may have oneor more features in common with bracket 2206.

Each of the other braces may have a contact in electrical communication,through junction 2202, with contact 2502. Each of the other braces mayhave a contact in electrical communication, through junction 2202, withcontact 2504. Each of the other braces may have a contact in electricalcommunication, through junction 2202, with contact 3012. Each of theother braces may have a contact in electrical communication, throughjunction 2202, with contact 3014. Each of the brackets may have a switchthat may interrupt electrical communication between the contacts thatare configured to transmit power.

FIGS. 33-38 show illustrative fixture support joint 3301 andillustrative switch assembly 3403.

Fixture support joint 3301 may include an intersection of two or morefixture supports such as fixture support 800. The fixture supports maybe adapted to connect with each other. Illustrative switch assembly 3403may provide electrical power distribution among the fixture supports.Illustrative switch assembly 3403 may provide electrical communicationsignal distribution among the fixture supports.

Fixture support joint 3301 may include strip 3302. Strip 3302 mayinclude a polymer body. Strip 3302 may include conductors. The polymerbody may include electrically conductive polymer. Strip 3302 may bemounted on the fixture support joint 3301. Strip 3302 may have one ormore features in common with docking tier 814, and may provide one ormore of the functions of docking tier 814 and the conductors, magnetstrip, and other elements associated therewith. Switch assembly 3403 mayinclude a mounting plate 3504. Switch assembly 3403 may includeconductive module 3505. Conductive module 3505 may have one or featuresin common with brace 1420. Conductive module 3505 may be mounted onmounting plate 3504 in a movable manner. Adjusting member 3406 may beconfigured to adjust a position of conductive module 3505. Adjustingmember 3406 may move conductive module 3505 closer to or away from strip3302. Mounting plate 3504 may be fixed to fixture support joint 3301.

When conductive module 3505 is made to move close to and abut againststrip 3302, two fixture supports may be brought into electricalcommunication. When conductive module 3505 is made to move away fromstrip 3302, the electrical communication of the two fixture supports maybe interrupted.

When fixture support joint 3301 is a one-way structure, one conductivemodule 3505 and one adjusting member 3406 may be provided. When fixturesupport joint 3301 is a two-, three- or four-way structure, two, threeor four corresponding conductive modules 3505, and two, three, or fourcorresponding adjusting members 3406 may be provided. When fixturesupport joint 3301 is an n-way structure, n corresponding conductivemodules and n corresponding adjusting members 3406 may be provided. nmay be any suitable number.

Conductive module 3505 may include lifting seat 3607. Conductive module3505 may include base 3608. Base 3608 may be disposed at the bottom oflifting seat 3607. Conductive module 3505 may include several conductivesheets 3609. Conductive sheets 3609 may be disposed in base 3608. Thebottom of base 3608 may be provided with several openings 3610, an endof one of conductive sheets 3609 to extend therefrom. The bottom ofmounting plate 3504 may be provided with several guide posts 3711.Lifting seat 3607 may be provided with guide holes 3712 for cooperativeinsertion of guide posts 3711. Bottom ends of guide posts 3711 may beconnected to limiting screws 3613. Limiting screws 3613 limit liftingseat 3607 between mounting plate 3504 and limiting screws 3613. A firstspring 3714 may be sleeved on the outer circumference of guide posts3711. Two ends of first spring 3714 may be connected to mounting plate3504 and lifting seat 3607, respectively.

Adjusting member 3406 may be an adjusting bolt. Base 3608 may beprovided with a through hole 3816. Through hole 3816 may provideclearance for the adjusting bolt. Lifting seat 3607 may be provided witha first threaded hole 3617 for disposing the adjusting bolt. Mountingplate 3504 may be provided with a second threaded hole 3718. Groove 3718may be cooperatively screwed to the adjusting bolt. First threaded hole3617 and second threaded hole 3718 may be arranged correspondingly.

Strip 3302 may be provided with an access hole (not marked in thedrawing). Adjusting member 3406 may be accessed via the access hole.Guide post 3711 may be cooperative with guide hole 3712, so that liftingseat 3607 of conductive module 3505 is stable when moving vertically.Limit screw 3613 and mounting plate 3504 may limit the moving range oflifting seat 3607. Limit screw 3613 and mounting plate 3504 may thusdefine a moving range of conductive module 3505. First spring 3714 mayabut and move lifting seat 3607 to facilitate the downward movement andresetting of conductive module 3505. When conductive module 3505 isclose to strip 3302, one end of a conductive sheet 3609 may extend outof opening 3610 to abut strip 3302 for electrical conduction. Theadjusting bolt may be cooperatively connected to first thread groove3617 and second thread groove 3718. A head of the adjusting bolt mayabut against lifting seat 3607. Through hole 3816 and the access holemay be arranged correspondingly. The adjusting bolt may be exposed viathrough hole 3816 and the access hole.

Base 3608 may be provided with several accommodating slots 3819 foraccommodating the several conductive sheets 3609. The top of an innerwall of an accommodating slot 3819 may be connected to a second spring3820. Second spring 3820 may be connected to the top of conductive sheet3609 to maintain one end of the conductive sheet 3609 in a state ofextension out of opening 3610. The two ends of second spring 3820 may beconnected to the inner wall of the accommodating slot 3819 andconductive sheet 3609, respectively, to ensure that one end ofconductive sheet 3609 is maintained in a state of extension out ofopening 3610. One end of conductive sheet 3609 may be provided with aprotrusion that extends out of opening 3610. One end of conductive sheet3609 may extend out of opening 3610 and abut against strip 3302 toprovide electrical communication between conductive sheet 3609 and strip3302.

A top end of the adjusting bolt may protrude from second threaded hole3718. The top end may be connected to limiting post 3721. The top end ofsecond threaded hole 3718 may include conduction limit block 3422. Thetop end of second threaded hole 3718 may include disconnection limitblock 3423. Conduction limit block 3422 and disconnection limit block3423 may cooperatively abut limiting post 3721 for limiting motion ofthe adjusting bolt. When the adjusting bolt is rotated to moveconductive module 3505 vertically, conductive sheets 3609 of theconductive module 3505 abuts strip 3302 for conduction or conductivesheets 3609 are moved away from strip 3302 for disconnection. Conductionlimit block 3422 and disconnection limit block 3423 may cooperativelyabut limiting post 3721, and the rotation range of the adjusting boltthus may be limited.

Conductive module 3505 may be mounted on mounting plate 3504 in alimited manner. Adjusting member 3406 may adjust vertically conductivemodule 3505. Adjusting member 3406 may adjust the position of conductivemodule 3505 closer to, or farther away from, a conductor of strip 3302.When conductive module 3505 is made to move close to and abut strip 3302by operating the adjusting member 3406, conduction may be effected. Whenconductive module 3505 is made to move away from strip 3302 by operatingadjusting member 3406, disconnection may be effected.

FIG. 39 shows arrangement 3200 with fixture support 800 attached tobracket 2206. Connector 2000 is inserted in fixture support 800. Otherfixture supports having one or more features in common with fixturesupport 800 may be attached to corresponding other brackets. Powersupplied through bundle 2004 may be transmitted from fixture support800, through junction 2202, to the other fixture supports.Communications such as 410 transmitted through bundle 2004 may betransmitted from fixture support 800, through junction 2202, to theother fixture supports.

FIG. 40 shows illustrative fixture head 4000. Fixture head 4000 mayconnect a fixture such as 316 to a fixture support such as 400. Fixturehead 4000 may include frame 4002. Fixture head 4000 may include latch4004. Fixture head 4000 may include latch 4006. Fixture head 4000 mayinclude pick-up unit 4008. Pick-up unit 4008 may include electricalcontact pins 4010. Contact pins 4010 may transfer power andcommunication signals between fixture head 4000 and docking tier 814.Fixture head 4000 may include a magnetic element (not shown). Fixturehead 4000 may include ferrous material. The magnetic element or theferrous material may engage magnetically with magnetic strip 1014. Themagnetic engagement may secure fixture 316 to docking tier 814. Contactpins 4010 may be sprung so that they retract into pick-up unit 4008 whenfixture head 4000 is docked flush against docking tier 814.

Pick-up unit 4008 may include pin pairs 4012, 4014, 4016 and 4018. Pairs4012, 4014, 4016 and 4018 may be positioned to contact, respectively,conductors 1006, 1008, 1010 and 1012 in docking tier 814.

Latches 4004 and 4006 may include, respectively, detents such 4020 and4022. Detents 4020 and 4022 may be biased to extend outward from latches4004 and 4006. The detents in operation may be supported by ridges 1038and 1040. Ridges 1038 and 1040 may prevent the fixture from droppingfrom fixture support 800 if the magnetic engagement fails. Bezels suchas 4024 may conform to angular limbs of ridges 1038 and 1040. Fixturehead 4000 may include actuators such as button 4026 to withdraw thedetents. Latches 4004 and 4006 may each include releases (not shown) towithdraw the detents into the latches. Fixture head 4000 may includebackwall 4030. Back side 4032 of backwall 4030 may contact docking tier814 when the fixture is disposed in fixture support 800. Direction R isthe rear direction. Direction F is the forward direction. When disposedin fixture support 800, back side 4032 is forward of docking tier 814.

The fixture may be secured to fixture head 4000 in a position forward offixture head 4000. The fixture may be secured to frame 4002.

The fixture may be installed in fixture support 800 by inserting fixturehead 4000 in U-channel 1052. A user may insert fixture head 4000 alongdirection V(up) (shown in FIG. 9 ) into U-channel 1052. A user may slidefixture head 4000 along a direction perpendicular to direction V(up)(shown in FIG. 9 ) into U-channel 1052.

FIG. 41 shows illustrative chassis 4100 of latch 4006. Latch 4006 mayinclude detent 4102. Latch 4006 may include release 4104. Latch 4006 mayinclude spring 4106. Release 4104 may include retraction slot 4108.Release 4104 may include retraction slot 4110. Release 4104 may includeengagement element 4112. Engagement element 4112 may include a recess, aridge, an edge, a surface, or any other suitable engagement element.Detent 4022 may include boss 4114. Boss 4114 may be disposed inretraction slot 4108. Detent 4102 may include boss 4116. Boss 4116 maybe disposed in retraction slot 4110.

Detents such as 4020 and 4022 may deflect inward into latches such as4006 when fixture head 4000 is inserted in direction V(up) intoU-channel 1052. The detents may spring out after passing ridges 1038 and1040. Ridges 1038 and 1040, in an extended state, may prevent thefixture from coming out of U-channel 1052 in the V(down) direction. Thedetents, supported by ridges 1038 and 1040, may retain fixture head 4000in U-channel 1052 when a user inserts fixture head 4000 into U-channel1052 in a direction perpendicular to V(up) or V(down). The detents,supported by ridges 1038 and 1040, may retain fixture head 4000 inU-channel 1052 when a user slides fixture head 4000, in a directionperpendicular to V(up) or V(down), from one position to another inU-channel 1052.

Chassis 4100 may include course 4118. Release 4104 may be constrained tomove along course 4118. Chassis 4100 may include course 4120. Detent4022 may be constrained to move along course 4120. Chassis 4100 mayinclude course 4122. Detent 4102 may be constrained to move along course4122.

Chassis 4100 may include front side 4124 of backwall 4030. Chassis 4100may include side wall 4126. Side wall 4126 may form a perimeter aroundrelease 4104.

Spring 4106 may bias release 4104 toward section 4128 of side wall 4126.Retraction slots 4108 and 4110 may be oriented such that when spring4106 extends, retraction slots 4108 and 4110 act on bosses 4114 and 4116to project detents 4022 and 4102 outwardly away from side wall 4126. Theforce of spring 4106 may hold detents 4022 and 4102 outwardly away fromside wall 4126 in a projected configuration.

The user may move release 4104 toward section 4130 of side wall 4126against spring 4106. Latch 4006 may include block 4127. Block 4127 maysupport release 4104 against movement to the rear of chassis 4100. Themotion of release 4104 toward section 4130 may cause retraction slots4108 and 4110 to act on bosses 4114 and 4116 to withdraw detents 4022and 4102 inwardly. The detents may be drawn inward or flush with outersurfaces of side wall 4126. The user may move release 4104 by engagingengagement element 4112. The user may move release 4104 by pressingbutton 4026.

Engagement element 4112 may be disposed within a region defined by frontside 4124 and side wall 4126.

Latch 4004 may include an arrangement analogous to that of latch 4006.

In the event that sections 4132 and 4134 of side wall 4126 are flushagainst panels such as 804 and 806, fixture head 4000 may be releasedfrom the fixture support by pushing button 4026. If section 4128 of sidewall is inaccessible, fixture head 4000 may be released from the fixturesupport by accessing engagement element 4112 to move release 4104 towardsection 4130.

FIG. 42 shows fixture head 4000 with latches 4004 and 4006 removed.Frame 4002 may support circuit board 4202. Pin pair 4016 is shown inelectrical communication with circuit board 4202. Circuit board 4202 mayreceive power from pin pairs 4014 and 4016. Circuit board 4202 mayreceive communication signals from pin pairs 4012 and 4018. Circuitboard 4202 may include a power distribution circuit (not shown). Circuitboard 4202 may include a communication signal distribution circuit (notshown).

FIG. 43 shows illustrative fixture 4300. Fixture 4300 may includefixture head 4302. Fixture 4300 may include cabinet 4304. Fixture 4300may include arm 4306. Fixture 4300 may include light 4308.

Fixture head 4302 may have one or more features in common with fixturehead 4000.

One or more of cabinet 4304, arm 4306 and light 4308 may includecircuits, devices, or both for changing fixture parameters of fixture4300 based on communication signals or using power received from fixturehead 4302.

Cabinet 4304 may include a pan motor for rotating arm 4306 about axis L₁through pan angle p. Light 4308 may include a tilt motor for rotatinglight 4308 about axis L₂ through tilt angle t₁. Light 4308 may include acurrent-responsive lens for changing a beam spread angle β of a beamemerging from light 4308 along axis L₃.

Light 4308 may include recess 4310. Arm 4306 may occupy some or all ofrecess 4310 when tilt angle t₁=0.

FIG. 44 shows in part cabinet 4304 and arm 4306. Electric motor 4402 maydrive worm screw 4404. Worm screw 4404 may drive worm wheel 4406. Wheel4408 may be rigidly fixed to worm wheel 4406. Wheel 4408 may engage panwheel 4410. Pan wheel 4410 may be coaxial with arm 4306. Pan wheel 4410may be fixed to and rotatable with arm 4306. Compression nut 4412 may bethreadingly engaged with arm 4306. Compression nut 4412 may pressurizewasher 4414. Compression nut 4412 may pressurize washer 4416.Compression nut 4412 may pressurize washer 4430.

One or both of washers 4414 and 4430 may have a non-circular openingthat matches a non-circular cross-section of arm 4306. One or both ofwashers 4414 and 4430 may be pressed against and cause engagement of panwheel 4410 with arm 4306. Straight edges 4432 and 4434 may engage withcorresponding straight sides 4436 and 4438 of neck 4440 of arm 4306.Washer 4414 may have one or more straight edges analogous to straightedges 4432 and 4434, and configured to engage sides such as 4436 and4438. Washers 4414 and 4416 may cause arm 4306 to rotate under torquefrom wheel 4410.

Cabinet 4304 may include boss 4442 (partially shown). Washer 4416 mayinclude notch 4444 (partially shown). Boss 4442 may limit rotation ofwasher 4416 about arm 4306. Detent 4446 of washer 4416 may interferewith tab 4448 of washer 4430. Thus, rotation of arm 4306 in one or bothdirections about axis L₁, by interference between tab 4448 and detent4446 to the extent that boss 4442 interferes with washer 4416.

Cabling 4418 may deliver power from fixture head 4302. Cabling 4418 mayprovide exchange of communication signals with a microprocessor such as516, which may be disposed in cabinet 4304.

Cabling 4420 may deliver power to devices in light 4308. Cabling 4420may provide exchange of communication signals with a microprocessor suchas 516, which may be disposed in cabinet 4304. The microprocessor mayinclude a current-adjustable-lens controller.

Step 4426 in cabinet 4304 may provide a reactive force to resistcorresponding step 4424 in arm 4306 under tension from compression nut4412. Step 4424 and step 4426 may act as bearing surface when arm 4306rotates.

Arm 4306 may include holes 4421 and 4423. Holes 4421 and 4423 mayreceive an axle for rotation of light 4308 about axis L₂.

FIG. 45 shows in part arm 4306 and light 4308. Tilt wheel 4502 may berigidly fixed to arm 4306 by axle 4504 along axis L₂. Hole 4506 in tiltwheel 4502 may receive a pin (not shown). The pin may be disposed inhole 4506 and in corresponding holes in arm 4306.

Electric motor 4508 may drive worm screw 4510. Worm screw 4510 may driveworm wheel 4512. Pin 4513 may support worm wheel 4512. Wheel 4512 mayengage tilt wheel 4502. When worm wheel 4512 turns, axis L₃ may be movedto a different tilt angle t₁ relative to L₁.

LED emitter 4514 may emit light. Reflector surface 4516 may intensifythe light. Static lens 4518 may form a beam centered along axis L₃ fromthe light. Static lens 4518 may include a convex surface. The beam maypass through liquid crystal lens 4520. Lens 4520 may include a liquidcrystal material that converges light based on an electric field appliedto the material. Frame 4522 may apply the electric field to lens 4520.Light 4308 may include shroud 4524. Clip 4526 may hold shroud 4524 inplace.

Frame 4528 may support axle 4504 and pin 4513.

Cabling 4418 may deliver power from fixture head 4302. Cabling 4418 mayprovide exchange of communication signals with a microprocessor such as516, which may be disposed in cabinet 4304.

Cabling 4530 may include an extension of some or all of cabling 4420.

Frame 4522 may receive current from cabling 4530.

FIGS. 46-49 show illustrative power supply box 4601, illustrative lampbody 4602, and illustrative lamp arm assembly 4603. Power supply box4601 may have one or more features in common with fixture head 4000.Power supply box 4601 may have one or more features in common withcabinet 4304. Lamp body 4602 may have one or more features in commonwith light 4308. Lamp arm assembly may have one or more features incommon with arm 4306.

Power supply box 4601 may include first driving assembly 4704. Lamp bodyassembly 4602 may include second driving assembly 4705. One end of lamparm assembly 4603 may be rotatably connected to power supply box 4601.The other end of the lamp arm assembly 4603 may be rotatably connectedto lamp body assembly 4602. First driving assembly 4704 may be used todrive lamp arm assembly 4603 to rotate. Second driving assembly 4705 maybe used to drive lamp body assembly 4602 to rotate. The top of powersupply box 4601 may be provided with fixing blocks 4627. Each fixingblock 4627 may include sliding protrusions 4628. Sliding protrusions4628 may be configured to slidingly retract and extend from power supplybox 4601 for installation or deinstallation of power box 4601 in afixture support such as fixture support 800. First driving assembly 4704may drive lamp arm assembly 4603 to rotate. Second driving assembly 4705may drive lamp body assembly 4602 to rotate. The position of lamp bodyassembly 4602 and an angle (an “irradiation angle”) of a beam from lampbody assembly 4602 may thus be controlled by a motor. Power supply box4601 may include control circuit board module 4822. Control circuitboard module 4822 may be in electrical communication with first drivingassembly 4704 and second driving assembly 4705. Control circuit boardmodule 4822 may include a wireless communication module. The wirelesscommunication module may be configured to communicate with a controlmodule such as 304 or an input such as 306.

The top of fixing block 4627 may provided with magnet 4629. Fixing block4627 may thus be attached to the fixture support by the magnet 4629.

First driving assembly 4704 may include first drive motor 4706. Firstdriving assembly 4704 may include first gear box 4707. An output shaftof first drive motor 4706 may be connected to first encoder 4808. Firstgear shaft 4809 may be rotatably arranged in first gear box 4707. Firsttransmission gear 4810 may be in meshing transmission connection withfirst encoder 4808. First transmission gear 4810 may be disposed overthe outer circumference of one end of first gear shaft 4809. Secondtransmission gear 4811 may be disposed over the outer circumference ofthe other end of first gear shaft 4809. First lamp arm gear 4712 may bein meshing transmission connection with second transmission gear 4811.First lamp arm gear 4712 may be fixedly disposed over the outercircumference of one end of the lamp arm assembly 4603. First gear box4707 may be disposed in power supply box 4601. First drive motor 4706may be disposed on first gear box 4707. First drive motor 4706 may drivefirst encoder 4808 to rotate. First drive motor 4706 may drive firsttransmission gear 4810 to rotate. Second transmission gear 4811 may thusbe driven to rotate through the cooperation of first gear shaft 4809 thesecond transmission gear 4811. This may cause rotation of first lamp armgear 4712 and lamp arm assembly 4603.

A center element of a lower end surface of the power supply box 4601 mayinclude a rotating hole 4713. A lamp arm bearing 4814 may be disposed inthe rotating hole 4713. One end of lamp arm assembly 4603 may berotatably connected to rotating hole 4713 through lamp arm bearing 4814.

The other end of lamp arm assembly 4603 may include second lamp arm gear4715. Second driving assembly 4705 may include second drive motor 4716.Second driving assembly 4705 may include second gear box 4717. Secondgear shaft 4918 may be rotatably arranged in second gear box 4717. Thirdtransmission gear 4919 may be disposed over the outer circumference ofsecond gear shaft 4918. An output shaft of second drive motor 4716 maybe connected to second worm 4920. Second worm 4920 and second lamp armgear 4715 may be respectively in meshing transmission connection withthird transmission gear 4919. Second gear box 4717 may be disposed inlamp body assembly 4602. Second drive motor 4716 may be disposed onsecond gear box 4717. Second drive motor 4716 may drive second worm 4920to rotate. Second drive motor 4716 may drive third transmission gear4919 to rotate. Rotational control of lamp body assembly 4602 may beaccomplished through the cooperative meshing transmission of thirdtransmission gear 4919 and second lamp arm gear 4715.

Pocket groove 4621 may be disposed on one side of an outer wall of lampbody assembly 4602. Pocket groove 4621 may be arranged complementarilywith lamp arm assembly 4603. Pocket groove 4621 receive lamp armassembly 4603 to facilitate angle adjustment between the lamp armassembly 4603 and the lamp body assembly 4602.

Lamp body assembly 4602 may include light source 4923. Light source 4923may be in electrical communication with control circuit board module4822. Current supplied by control circuit board module 4822 to lightsource 4923 assembly may be adjusted to adjust the brightness of lightsource 4923 assembly. The brightness of light source 4923 may becontrolled through a control module such as 304 or an input such as 306.

Lamp body assembly 4602 may include lens 4924. Lens 4924 may beelectrically connected to the control circuit board module 4822. Thetransparency of lens 4924 may be controlled through a control modulesuch as 304 or an input such as 306. A beam angle of lamp body assemblymay be controlled through a control module such as 304 or an input suchas 306.

A first encoder 4725 may be disposed at a tail portion of the firstdrive motor 4706. First encoder 4725 may be configured to record arotational position of the first drive motor 4706. Second encoder 4726may be arranged at a tail portion of second drive motor 4716. Secondencoder 4726 may be configured to record a rotational position of seconddrive motor 4716. Recordation of a rotational position may provide areference for performing a further rotation that is defined relative toa recorded rotational position.

FIG. 50 shows illustrative fixture 5000. Fixture 5000 may includefixture head 5002. Fixture 5000 may include cabinet 5004. Fixture 5000may include arm 5006. Fixture 5000 may include light 5008.

Fixture head 5002 may have one or more features in common with fixturehead 4000.

One or more of cabinet 5004, arm 5006 and light 5008 may includecircuits, devices, or both for changing fixture parameters of fixture5000 based on communication signals or using power received from fixturehead 5002.

Fixture head 5002 and cabinet 5004 may form base 5010. Fixture head 5002may include detent 5012. Fixture head 5002 may have a detent (not shown)on a side of fixture head 5002 opposite the side including detent 5012.Detent 5012 and the corresponding opposite detent in operation may besupported by ridges 1038 and 1040.

Light 5008 may include housing 5014. Housing 5014 may include recess5015. Recess 5015 may receive arm 5006 when housing 5014 is tiltedrelative to arm 5006.

FIG. 51 shows that cabinet 5004 may include turntable 5102. Turntable5102 may include a joint that pivotably links turntable 5102 to arm5006. Arm 5006 may include central axis L₄. Turntable may be rotatableabout axis L₅ through pan angle p when arm 5006 is clear of cabinet5004. Turntable 5102 may rotate through pan angle p to permit rotationof light 5008. Arm 5006 may be rotated about axis L₆ through swing angles. When swing angle s is 1800 and pan angle p is 0, arm 5006 may beseated in recess 5104 in fixture head 5002.

Light 5008 may include a joint (not shown) on axis L₇ that pivotablylinks light 5008 to arm 5006. The joint may permit rotation of light5008 relative to arm 5006 about axis L₇ through tilt angle t₂. When tiltangle t₂=0, arm 5006 may be seated in recess 5015.

Rotation of annulus 5106 may displace a lens (not shown) in light 5008relative to an LED emitter (not shown) in light 5008. The displacementmay change beam spread angle β₂.

FIG. 52 shows partially turntable 5102 in cabinet 5004. Pin 5202 mayextend along axis L₆ from turntable 5102. Arm 5006 (not shown) may berotatable around pin 5202.

A half of turntable 5102 that is not shown in the view of FIG. 52 maymirror the half of turntable 5102 that is shown in the view.

Turntable 5102 may conform to well 5204 with suitable tolerance forrotation. Cabinet 5004 may include shelf 5206. Shelf 5206 may retainturntable 5102 in a fixed position relative to cabinet 5004 along axisL₅. Shelf 5206 may be the sole element of cabinet 5004 that retainsturntable 5102 in a fixed position relative to cabinet 5004 along axisL₅.

Turntable 5102 may include runner 5208. Turntable 5102 may includewasher 5218. Runner 5208 may be fixed to body 5212 of turntable 5102 byfasteners 5214 and 5216. Washer 5218 may be disposed between shelf 5206and body 5212. Tension from fasteners 5214 and 5216 may compress shelf5206 and washer 5218 between runner 5208 and body 5212. The tension mayprovide enough frictional resistance to prevent turntable 5102 frominadvertently rotating about axis L₅ but permit the user to convenientlymanually rotate turntable 5102.

Washer 5218 may include tab 5220. Cabinet 4304 may include a projectionthat may interfere with tab 5220 when washer 5218 rotates. Theprojection may prevent rotation of washer 5218 when turntable 5102rotates.

Fixture head 5002 may include circuit board 5222. Circuit board 5222 maybe in electrical communication with pins such as 4010.

Bay 5224 may provide passage for cabling (not show) for light 5008.

FIG. 53 shows partially arm 5006 and light 5008. Arm 5006 may swingrelative to light 5008 about pin 5302, along axis L₇. Housing 5014 mayinclude bench 5304. Bench 5304 may support LED emitter 5306. Housing5014 may include threads 5308. Threads 5308 may line annular recess5309. Threads 5308 may support collar 5310. Collar 5310 may bethreadingly engaged with threads 5308. Collar 5310 may be manually movedup and down along axis L₈ by rotating collar 5310 in threads 5308.Moving collar 5310 up or down along axis L₈ changes the distance betweenlens 5312 and LED emitter 5306. The change in distance changes beamspread angle β₂.

Passageway 5314, pass-through 5316, and hole 5318 may provide forpassage of cabling from fixture head 5002 to LED emitter 5306.

Housing 5014 may include groove 5320. Clip 5322 may be disposed ingroove 5320. Clip 5322 may be shaped and biased to prevent collar 5310from exiting threads 5308 by interfering with flange 5324 of collar 5310while remaining lodged in groove 5320.

Honeycomb 5326 may reduce glare from a beam emitted from LED emitter5306.

Housing 5014 may include lip 5328. Housing 5014 may be retractable intoa U-channel such as U-channel 1052. When housing 5014 is retracted intoU-channel 1052, lip 5328 may be drawn above a distal edge of theU-channel, such as distal edge 1056 (schematically shown in brokenline). When housing 5014 is retracted into U-channel 1052, crown 5330 ofhousing 5014 may abut or nearly abut a docking tier such as docking tier814 (schematically shown in broken line).

FIG. 58 shows illustrative fixture 5800. Fixture 5800 may includefixture head 5802. Fixture 5800 may include cabinet 5804. Fixture 5800may include cord 5806. Fixture 5800 may include light 5808.

Fixture head 5802 may have one or more features in common with fixturehead 4000.

One or both of cabinet 5804 and light 5808 may include circuits,devices, or both for changing fixture parameters of fixture 5800 basedon communication signals or using power received from fixture head 5802.

Fixture head 5802 and cabinet 5804 may form base 5810.

Light 5808 may include housing 5814.

Light 5808 may be positioned along axis L₉ of cord 5806 at a height habove a reference level r. Level r may correspond to a structure, afloor, the ground or any other reference object. Axis L₉ may defineradial direction R.

FIGS. 54-57 show illustrative radiator 5401, condensing cover 5402 andclamping ring 5503. Radiator 5401 may have one or more features incommon with light 4308. Radiator 5401 may have one or more features incommon with housing 5014. Condensing cover 5402 may have one or morefeatures in common with shroud 4524. Condensing cover 5402 may have oneor more features in common with annulus 5106. Clamping ring 5503 mayhave one or more features in common with clip 5322.

An inner wall of radiator may include internal thread 5411. Condensingcover 5402 may include external thread 5521. Clamping ring 5503 may bedisposed near the inner wall of radiator 5401. Clamping ring 5503 may berotatably mounted to internal thread 5411. Condensing cover 5402 may bescrewed to radiator 5401 via external thread 5521.

When condensing cover 5402 is rotated for focusing, the position ofcondensing cover 5402 may be e limited by clamping ring 5503 to preventcondensing cover 5402 and a lens associated therewith from beingdetached from radiator 5401 due to excessive rotation.

Condensing cover 5402 may include mounting element 5522. Condensingcover 5402 may include connecting element 5523. Condensing cover 5402may include fixing element 5524. Mounting element 5522 and fixingelement 5524 may be arranged at two ends of connecting element 5523.External thread 5521 may be arranged on mounting element 5522. Mountingelement 5522 may be rotatably mounted to the radiator 5401 via externalthread 5521. External thread 5521 on mounting element 5522 may bescrewed to internal thread 5411 of radiator 5401.

Clamping ring 5503 may protrude inward to form disassembling element5631. When clamping ring 5503 is installed, first condensing cover 5402may be rotated into radiator 5401, and then clamping ring 5503 may beplaced in internal thread 5411 of radiator 5401 in a surrounding manner.For disassembly, tweezers or another similar item may be used to clampdisassembling element 5631 and withdraw clamping ring 5503 from internalthread 5411. When a light source or lens needs to be replaced,disassembly may be performed directly from the front of condensing cover5402.

An outer diameter of connecting element 5523 may gradually decrease fromleft to right (along a direction from condensing cover 5402 to radiator5401). This may expose a gap between condensing cover 5402 and radiator5401. The gap may facilitate heat dissipation.

An outer diameter of fixing element 5524 may be greater than an innerdiameter of radiator 5401. When rotated to the deepest position, fixingelement 5524 may abut against radiator 5401.

FIG. 59 shows that light 5808 may include lens 5902. Light 5808 mayinclude shield 5904. Shield 5904 may be extendable away from housing5814 along axis L₉. Shield 5904 may be rotated relative to housing 5814to adjust beam spread angle β₃. Shield 5904 may be translated along axisL₉ to prevent light from light 5808 from spreading outside a targetedarea.

FIG. 60 shows illustrative gripper 6002. Gripper 6002 may includetapered tube 6004. Tube 6004 may include cannula 6006. Cannula 6006 maybe cylindrical. Cord 5806 may be disposed in cannula 6006 with atolerance sufficient to permit sliding of cord 5806 through cannula 6006with a small amount of friction. Gripper 6002 may include bumpers suchas 6008 and 6010. Bumpers 6008, 6010 and a third bumper (not shown) maybe arranged about L₉ axis. The bumpers may be arranged symmetrically,such as at 120° arc from each other, about the axis. The bumpers may becaptured in sockets 6012, 6014 and a third socket (not shown),respectively. The sockets may allow the bumpers to translate radially inan out relative to axis L₉. When positioned inwardly, the bumpers maycontact cord 5806. In the absence of an inward radial force on thebumpers, the bumpers may allow cord 5806 to translate freely along L₉relative to housing 5814. When an inward radial force is applied to thebumpers, the bumpers may seize cord 5806 and prevent cord 5806 fromtranslating along L₉ relative to housing 5814.

When cord 5806 is drawn upward relative to housing 5814, the smallamount of friction may draw tube 6004 upward inside cannulated taperedbolt 6016. Taper 6019 may apply an inward radial force to the bumpers.The relative movement between tube 6004 and housing 5814 may begenerated by the user. The relative movement between tube 6004 andhousing 5814 may be generated by a gravitational pull on light 5808.

Spring 6018 may be anchored in bushing 6020. Spring 6018 may be engagedwith tube 6004 at narrow section 6022 of tube 6004. Spring 6018 may benormally in tension. Spring 6018 thus urges tube 6004 down, away fromtaper 6019. Spring 6018 thus acts to release cord 5806 from gripper6002. Tension in spring 6018 may be selected to offset some but not allof the gravitational force on light 5808 so that cord 5806 is normallyseized in gripper 6002. The user may adjust height h of light 5808 bymanually urging cord 5806 down in gripper 6002 and overcoming thetendency of the bumpers to continue to seize cord 5806 even after theuser manually supports light 5808 and relieves the gravitational force.

The user may increase h by feeding cord 5806 down through gripper 6002.The user may decrease h by drawing cord 5806 up through gripper 6002.The seizing force of the bumpers may be insufficient to prevent manualwithdrawal of cord 5806 from gripper 6002. The user may manually pressdown on top 6030 of tube 6004 to release the bumpers from cord 5806.

Shelves 6024 and 6026 may support bolt 6016. Housing 5814 may supportshelves 6024 and 6026. Interior 6028 of housing 5814 may store lengthsof cord 5806.

FIGS. 61-66 show an illustrative shifting mechanism for suspending acord. The cord may be used to suspend a light fixture. The fixture mayhave one or more features in common with fixture 5800. The cord may haveone or more features in common with cord 5806. The shifting mechanismmay include main body 6101. The shifting mechanism may include hangingmember 6302. The shifting mechanism may include connector 6103. Theshifting mechanism may include a reset member. Hanging member 6302 maybe movably connected to main body 6101. Two ends of the reset member maybe connected to hanging member 6302 and the main body 6101,respectively. A top of main body 6101 may be detachably connected toconnector 6103. Main body 6101 may include open slot 6106. Main body6101 may include moving slot 6105, in which hanging member 6302 maymove. Moving slot 6105 may be in communication with open slot 6106.

Main body 6101 may be fixed to a structure such as S. Main body 6101 maybe fixed to a fixture such as fixture 5800. Hanging member 6302 may berotated so that hook 6211 is outside main body 6101. The cord may beinserted into open slot 6106. A loop of the cord may be inserted intoopen slot 6106. Hanging member 6302 may be rotated back into main body6101. Hanging member 6302 may engage the cord inside main body 6101.Hanging member 6302 may engage the loop inside main body 6101. Main body6101 may be tightened against connector 6103 using threaded connectingportion 6307 and internal thread 6408. The tightening may preventrotating shaft portion 6310 from rotating. The cord may thus be “locked”in main body 6101 at a position that leaves a desired amount of cordhanging between the structure and the fixture.

Hanging member 6302 may be movably connected with main body 6101. Duringuse, hanging member 6302 may be pulled out main body 6101 from movingslot 6105 by a human hand. The cord may then be extended from open slot6106 to a position where main body 6101 matches hanging member 6302.Hanging member 6302 may be pushed into main body 6101. Hanging member6302 may hook the cord to effect the hanging and placement of the cord.Connector 6103 may be fixed to the ceiling by a mounting element such asa screw and a bolt. Main body 6101 the connector 6103 may be detachablyconnected to facilitate mounting. That is, adjustment and mounting maybe performed after shifting to a suitable position based onenvironmental structures. The reset member may pull hanging member 6302to prevent loosening of the hanging member 6302. This may ensure thestability of hanging and placement of the cord, and facilitating thereset of hanging member 6302.

The top of main body 6101 may include a threaded connecting portion6307. Threaded connecting portion 6307 may include an external thread.An inner wall of connector 6103 may include internal thread 6408 thatmatches the external thread. Mounting hole 6209 may penetrate throughconnector 6103. Connector 6103 and main body 6101 thus may bedisassembled and assembled. Mounting hole 6209 may cooperate with anassembly screw and bolt to engage a ceiling or other structure such asstructure S. Connector 6103 may be locked through the cooperation of anexternal connecting member and mounting hole 6209.

Hanging member 6302 may include rotating shaft portion 6310. Hangingmember 6302 may include hook portion 6211. Hanging member 6302 mayinclude protrusion 6112. Main body 6101 may include rotating slot 6313.Rotating slot 6313 may rotates cooperatively with rotating shaft portion6310. The reset member may be disposed in rotating slot 6313. Two endsof the reset member may be connected to rotating shaft portion 6310 andan inner wall of rotating slot 6313, respectively. The hook portion 6211may be connected to a lower end of the rotating shaft portion 6310.Protrusion 6112 may be connected to an outer wall of hook portion 6211.Through protrusion 6112, an operator may pull protrusion 6112 to pullout hook portion 6211 of hanging member 6302, and rotating shaft portion6310 may rotate in rotation slot 6313 to effect moving of the hookportion 6211. Under action of the reset member, rotating shaft portion6310 may be pressed tightly to ensure that the position of the rotatingshaft portion 6310 does not easily loosen, and that hook portion 6211hangs the cord stably.

Rotating shaft portion 6310, hook portion 6211, and protrusion 6112 maybe integrally formed.

The reset member may be reset spring 6604. Two reset springs 6604 may beprovided, respectively, at two ends of rotating slot 6313. Reset springs6604 may match the two ends of rotating shaft portion 6310 formaintaining the balance of the two ends of the rotating shaft portion6310 and reset stability.

FIG. 67 shows shield 5904 in housing 5814. Light 5808 may include lens6702. Lens 6702 may form a beam from light emitted by LED emitter 6704.Lens well 6706 may be fixed to shelf 6708. Shelf 6708 may be fixed tohousing 5814. Lens positioning bushing 6710 may be disposed in well6706. Bushing 6710 may rotate about axis L₉ in well 6706. Well 6706 mayinclude slots such as 6712. Slot 6712 may be helical about axis L₉.Bushing 6710 may include slots such as 6714 and 6716. Slots 6714 and6716 may be parallel to axis L₉. As bushing 6710 is rotated relative towell 6706, intersections between the helical and parallel slots may movealong axis L₉. Projections such as 6718 from lens table 6720 may bedisposed in the intersections. Thus, relative rotation between bushing6710 and well 6706 may move lens 6702 along axis L₉ relative to emitter6704. This may change beam spread angle β₃. Rotation of shield 5904about axis L₉ may cause interference of an edge (not shown) of shield5904 with a catch of bushing 6710. The interference may cause therelative rotation.

Fingers 6722 and 6724 may be biased radially outward from axis L₉ tomaintain contact between fingers 6722 and 6724 with inner surface 6726of housing 5814. The user may manually move shield 5904 may be up anddown along axis L₉. When the user releases shield 5904, friction betweenfingers 6722 and 6724 and surface 6726 may maintain the position ofshield 5904 relative to housing 5814. Band 6728 in housing 5814 maylimit the downward extension of shield 5904. Foot 6730 of bushing 6710may limit the upward insertion of shield 5904.

Sheath 6732 may provide lateral support to cord 5806.

FIG. 68 shows edges 6802 and 6804 of shield 5904 that may engage withcatches 6806 and 6808 of bushing 6710. Shield 5904 may thus movelongitudinally along axis L₉ without rotating bushing 6710. Shield 5904may be rotated about axis L₉ without moving longitudinally along axisL₉.

FIGS. 69-76 show illustrative fixture support 6901 and at least twoillustrative lamp bodies 6902. Fixture support 6901 may have one or morefeatures in common with fixture support 310. Lamp bodies 6902 may haveone or more features in common with fixture 316. Ends of each of thelamp bodies 6902 may be detachably connected to end covers 6903. Lampbody 6902 may be slidably arranged in fixture support 6901. Adjacentends of two adjacent lamp bodies 6902 may abut each other. Left andright ends of fixture support 6901 may include lamp entrances 7104. Thebottom of fixture support 6901 may include exposure port 6905. Lampbodies 6902 may be exposed at exposure port 6905. End cover 6903 may bedetachably connected to lamp body 6902. Two or more lamp bodies 6902 maybe installed in fixture support 6901. After end covers 6903 aredisassembled, lamp bodies 6902 abut each other in fixture support 6901to form a seamless joint effect. The structure may be stable andreliable, and light leakage may be avoided. Lamp body 6902 may be pushedinto fixture support 6901 from lamp entrances 7104 at the left and rightends of fixture support 6901 for installation. Exposure port 6905 mayprovide for light transmission.

Lamp body 6902 may include lamp housing 6906. Lamp body 6902 may includelight-emitting cover 6907. Lamp body 6902 may include light-emittingbody 6908. Light-emitting body 6908 may be disposed on lamp housing6906. Light-emitting cover 6907 may be disposed at the bottom of lamphousing 6906. Light of the light-emitting body 6908 may facelight-emitting cover 6907. End cover 6903 may be detachably connected tolamp housing 6906.

Adjacent ends of light-emitting covers 6907 of two adjacent lamp bodies6902 may abut each other. The seamless joint between two or more lampsassembled in fixture support 6901 may reduce or avoid light leakage. Theseamless joint between two or more lamps assembled in fixture support6901 may reduce or avoid light leakage may have good structuralintegrity.

Sides of the top end of light-emitting cover 6907 may include clampingstrips 7309. Sides of an inner wall of the bottom of lamp housing 6906may include clamping slots 7110. Clamping slots 7110 may match clampingstrips 7309. This may provide clamping of light-emitting cover 6907 andlamp housing 6906.

Sides of end cover 6903 may include buckling blocks 7411. Sides of theinner wall of the bottom of lamp housing 6906 may include buckling slots7312. Buckling slots 7312 may fit buckling blocks 7411. The detachableconnection of end cover 6903 may be effected through cooperation ofbuckling block 7411 and buckling slot 7312. This may facilitate theassembly and disassembly of the end cover 6903. This may facilitatereplacement of a lamp.

Ends of the top of lamp housing 6906 may include fixing blocks 6913.Sides of the fixing block 6913 may include sliding protrusions 6914.Sides of an inner wall of fixture support 6901 may include sliding slots7121. Sliding slots 7121 may match sliding protrusions 6914. Cooperationof sliding protrusion 6914 and sliding slot 7121 may provide for thesliding of lamp body 6902 along the inner wall of fixture support 6901.

One end of fixing block 6913 may include button 6915. Button 6915 may beconnected to pushing block 7516. Pushing block 7516 may be slidablyarranged in fixing block 6913. An end of pushing block 7516 away frombutton 6915 may be connected to reset spring 7517. An end of resetspring 7517 away from pushing block 7516 may be connected to an innerwall of fixing block 6913. An end of sliding protrusion 6914 may extendinto fixing block 6913. An end of sliding protrusion 6914 may includelimiting sliding column 7618. Sides of pushing block 7516 may includelimiting sliding slots 7519. Limited sliding slots 7519 may matchlimiting sliding columns 7618. Limiting sliding columns 7618 may beslidably arranged in limiting sliding slots 7519. Sides of fixing block6913 may include through-holes. An end of sliding protrusion 6914 mayprotrude from the through-hole. The bottom of fixing block 6913 mayinclude pushing slot 7520. Pushing block 7516 may be slidably arrangedon pushing slot 7520. When the lamp body 6902 is to be taken out offixture support 6901, button 6915 may be pressed so that pushing block7516 moves along pushing slot 7520, and sliding protrusion 6914 isdriven, by limiting sliding slot 7519, to be retracted from thethrough-hole into fixing block 6913. At this time, sliding protrusion6914 may be separated from sliding slot 7121. This may facilitateremoval of lamp body 6902 from fixture support 6901. When button 6915 isreleased, under action of reset spring 7517, reset spring 7517 may drivethe pushing block 7516 to reset. Button 6915 may reset. Then resetspring 7517 may drive sliding protrusion 6914 to extend from thethrough-hole to effect the reset. Sliding protrusion 6914 and slidingslot 7121 may be slidingly matched to facilitate sliding connectionbetween lamp body 6902 and the inner wall of fixture support 6901.

Displacement of two or more lamp bodies 6902 may be limited by abuttingeach other. Clamping columns and clamping holes for cooperative limitingmay be provided at positions corresponding to two ends of lamp housing6906 or two ends of light-emitting cover 6907. Magnets may be arrangedat ends of lamp housing 6906 or at positions corresponding to ends oflight-emitting cover 6907. Abutting cooperation and seamless joints maybe provided by mutual attraction of the magnets.

FIGS. 77-80 show illustrative lamp housing 7701, light source 7802, andpolarizing lens 7803. One or more of lamp housing 7701, light source7802, and polarizing lens 7803 may be part of a fixture such as fixture316. Mounting slot 7904 may be recessed on a side of a lower end surfaceof lamp housing 7701. Light source 7802 may be disposed in mounting slot7904. Polarizing lens 7803 may be disposed on a lower end surface oflight source 7802. Light blocking element 7805 may be provided on a sideof the lower end surface of lamp housing 7701. Light blocking element7805 may include reflective film 7806. Arc-shaped reflective surface7807 may be provided on a side of the lower end surface of lamp housing7701. Light exit port 7808 may be defined between arc-shaped reflectivesurface 7807 and light blocking element 7805. Light emitted by lightsource 7802 may pass through polarizing lens 7803. The light then may beemitted from light exit port 7808. Light source 7802 may be arranged inmounting slot 7904. After the light passes through polarizing lens 7803,the light may propagate from light exit port 7808. Light blockingelement 7805 may be provided. Reflective film 7806 may be provided onlight blocking element 7805. Reflective film 7806 may reflect the lightaway from light blocking element 7805. Arc-shaped reflective surface7807 may reflect the light downward. The guiding of light from lightsource 7802 may reduce or avoid glare.

Reflective film 7806 may include a diffuse reflective film.

Arc-shaped reflective surface 7807 may span an arc of less than 90°.

A lower end of mounting slot 7904 may be provided with limiting slot7909. An upper end of the polarizing lens 7803 may be provided withlimiting element 7910. Limiting element 7910 may be accommodated inlimiting slot 7909. Limiting slot 7909 and limiting element 7910 maylimit polarizing lens 7803 to prevent polarizing lens 7803 fromloosening.

Ends of lamp housing 7701 may include detachable cover plates 7715.Sides of an inner wall of the lamp housing 7701 may include clampingslots 7816. An inner side of cover plate 7715 may include fixing sheet8017. Sides of fixing sheet 8017 may include elastic clamping sheets8018. An outer wall of elastic clamping sheet 8018 may include archedbulge 8019. When cover plates 7715 are assembled to the ends of lamphousing 7701, elastic clamping sheet 8018 may be aligned with clampingslot 7816 and snapped into clamping slot 7816. Elastic clamping sheet8018 and arched bulge 8019 may be matched so that elastic clamping sheet8018 may be firmly fixed in clamping slot 7816. Cover plates 7715 mayabut the end surfaces of lamp housing 7701. When cover plate 7715 is tobe disassembled, cover plate 7715 may be pulled so that elastic clampingsheet 8018 separates from clamping slot 7816. The end cover may bedisassembled by bare hands.

Fixture support 7811 may support lamp housing 7701. Ends of a top oflamp housing 7701 may include fixing blocks 7712. Sides of fixing block7712 may include sliding blocks 7713. An inner wall of fixture support7811 may include slideways 7814. Sliding blocks 7713 may be slidablyarranged in slideways 7814. This may facilitate installation and removalof cover plate 7715. When the lamp housing 7701 is to be assembled intofixture support 7811, cover plate 7715 may be removed alone, and lamphousing 7701 may be accommodated in fixture support 7811. Installationof lamp housing 7701 can be achieved through cooperation of slideway7814 and sliding block 7713, when disposed between the fixture support7811 and lamp housing 7701. During installation of two or more lamphousings 7701 in fixture support 7811, the lamp housings 7701 may bedisposed in abutment with each other so that they appear as a continuouswhole, with no dark areas or visual discontinuity.

FIG. 81 shows illustrative configuration 8100 of fixtures 316, 8102,8104 and 8106 (indexed below as “a,” “b,” “c” and “d,” respectively) inconnection with architecture 300. Configuration 8100 creates scene S₁.Scene S₁ may include object O. Object O may be the target. Object O mayinclude target 8108. Ambient light AL₁ may illuminate object O. Ambientlight may include light from sources other than fixtures 316, 8102, 8104and 8106. Ambient light may include diffuse light. Ambient light mayinclude direct light. Ambient light may include light originatingoutside, such as that entering through window W.

The user may instruct architecture 300 to illuminate object O based onone or more selected beam parameters. Pitch and tilt angle pairs of thefixtures (viz., (p_(a) ₁ , t_(a) ₁ ), (p_(b) ₁ , t_(b) ₁ ), (p_(c) ₁ ,t_(c) ₁ ), (p_(d) ₁ , t_(d) ₁ ), . . . ) may be set by locating target8108. Tilt angles may be defined in reference to vertical v, which maybe a plumb line.

FIG. 82 shows illustrative configuration 8100 of fixtures 316, 8102,8104 and 8106 (indexed below as “a,” “b,” “c” and “d,” respectively) inconnection with architecture 300 after object O has been moved to asecond location. Configuration 8100 creates scene S₂. Ambient light AL₂may illuminate object O.

The user may instruct architecture 300 to illuminate object O based onone or more selected beam parameters. Pitch and tilt angle pairs of thefixtures (viz., (p_(a) ₂ , t_(a) ₂ ), (p_(b) ₂ , t_(b) ₂ ), (p_(c) ₂ ,t_(c) ₂ ), (p_(d) ₂ , t_(d) ₂ ), . . . ) may be reset by locating target8108 in scene S₂.

FIG. 83 shows schematic transform 8300 of a fixture such as 316 betweenscene S₁, with object O at location x₁, to scene S₂, with objection O atlocation x₂. As configured for scene S₁, fixture 316 has bearing b₁ andbeam spread angle β₄. At the height z_(O), corresponding to object O,the fixture 316 beam has horizontal area A₄. When object O is moved tolocation x₂, for scene S₂, architecture 300 may change the fixture 316bearing to b₂ to direct the beam to object O at x₂. Architecture 300 mayperform calculations to derive a beam spread angle β₄ that results inhorizontal area A₄ at height z_(O). This gives the beam the same“footprint” in S₂ as it had in S₁. Horizontal area A₅, resulting frombeam spread angle β₄ at bearing b₂, is shown for comparison.

FIG. 84 shows illustrative fixture 8400. Fixture 8400 may have one ormore features in common with fixture 318. Fixture 8400 may includelamina section 8402. Lamina 8402 may include sections such as 8404, 8406and 8408. Segments 8404, 8406 and 8408 may be terminated by break-awayjoints 8410, 8412, 8414, 8416, 8418, 8420 and 8422. Connectors 8424,8426, 8428 and 8430 may be disposed on the lamina section between oradjacent the break-away joints. A user may separate sections andconnectors at the break-away joints to provide a desired length offixture 8400.

Fixture 8400 may be connected with one or more of contacts 1414, 1604,1608 and 1612 for transmission of electrical power. Fixture 8400 may beconnected with one or more of contacts 1414, 1604, 1608 and 1612 fortransmission of communications such as 510.

Each section may include a first LED emitter string. Each section mayinclude a second LED emitter string. Emitters in the first string mayhave a nominal first CCT. Emitters in the second string may have anominal second CCT. The second CCT may be different from the first CCT.The user may instruct architecture 300 to mix the first CCT and thesecond CCT to provide illumination having a CCT that is between thefirst and second CCTs.

An emitter having the first CCT may be located adjacent an emitterhaving the second CCT. Emitter pair 8432 may include one emitter havingthe first CCT and one emitter having the second CCT.

Each string may include a current-regulating chip such as 8434 and adissipative element such as 8436. The dissipative element may include aresistor.

Lamina 8402 may be slidable into grooves such as 1044 and 1046 offixture support 800.

FIG. 85 shows fixture 8400 from a view different from that shown in FIG.84 .

FIG. 86 shows schematically illustrative circuit 8600. Circuit 8600 mayinclude string 8602. Circuit 8600 may include string 8604. Circuit 8600may include power supply 8606. Power supply 8606 may be controlled bydevice control module 8608.

String 8602 may include high CCT LEDs 1-7 in series with currentregulator Q1 and resistor R1. String 8604 may include low CCT LEDs 8-14in series with current regulator Q2 and resistor R2. Table 39 listsillustrative string 8602 and string 8604 component IDs.

TABLE 39 Illustrative string 8602 and string 8604 component IDs.Illustrative string 8602 and string 8604 components. String 8602 String8604 Component Illustrative ID Component Illustrative ID LED 1-7...2835W9N-F-Ra95-2P(D04- LED 8-14 2835W6N-F-Ra95-2P(H20-2HM) 2HM) 5000k2700K Q1 IC PM2071 SOT23-6 RoHS Q2 IC PM2071 SOT23-6 RoHS R1 1/4W, 15R ±1%(1206) R2 1/4W,15R ± 1%(1206) T Socket T Socket Other suitable partIDs Other suitable part IDs

Input 8610 may be tied to a 24 VDC terminal of architecture 300.

Power supply 8606 may provide pulse-width modulation (“PWM”), via aMOSFET in line 8612, corresponding to Low VDC₁ (“L₁”) of string 8602.Power supply 8606 may provide pulse-width modulation (“PWM”), via aMOSFET in line 8614, corresponding to Low VDC₂ (“L₂”) of string 8604.Power supply 8606 may provide separately controllable PWM to lines 8612and 8614. The power modulation may, for each line, reduce power outputof the LEDs. By reducing power to one string relative to the other, amixed CCT illumination may be achieved. Low end 8616 of power supply8606 may a −24 VDC terminal of architecture 300.

Device control module 8608 may correspond to a device control modulesuch as 866.

Each section of fixture 8600 may include a pair of strings such as 8602and 8604. Strings of different sections may run from a common highvoltage rail to a common low voltage rail.

FIG. 87 shows schematically illustrative fixture 8700. Fixture 8700 mayinclude sections 8702, 8704, 8706, 8708 and 8710. Each of the sectionsmay be separable from the others by break-away joints. Each of thesections may include a high CCT (“HCCT”) string and a low CCT (“LCCT”)string. Each of the HCCT strings may have one or more features in commonwith string 8602. Each of the LCCT strings may have one or more featuresin common with string 8604. Sections 8702, 8704, 8706, 8708 and 8710 mayinclude power modulation units 8712, 8714, 8716, 8718 and 8720,respectively. Each of the power modulation units may have one or morefeatures in common with power supply 8606. Each of the sections mayinclude a device control module (not shown) to control the correspondingpower modulation unit. Each device control module may correspond to adevice control module such as 866.

FIG. 88 shows schematically illustrative fixture 8800. Fixture 8800 mayinclude sections 8802, 8804, 8806, 8808 and 8810. Each of the sectionsmay be separable from the others by break-away joints. Each of thesections may include a high CCT (“HCCT”) string and a low CCT (“LCCT”)string. Each of the HCCT strings may have one or more features in commonwith string 8602. Each of the LCCT strings may have one or more featuresin common with string 8604. All of sections 8802, 8804, 8806, 8808 and8810 may modulated by power supply 8812. Power supply 8812 may have oneor more features in common with power supply 8606. Power supply 8812 mayprovide pulse-width modulation (“PWM”), via a MOSFET in line 8814,corresponding to the HCCT strings. Power supply 8812 may providepulse-width modulation (“PWM”), via a MOSFET in line 8816, correspondingto the LCCT strings.

Fixture 8800 may include a device control module (not shown) to controlpower supply 8606. The device control module may correspond to a devicecontrol module such as 866.

FIG. 89 shows illustrative printed circuit board composite layout 8900for a fixture section based on high and low CCT LED strings such as 8602and 8604. A top layer of layout 8900 is shown in top layer view 8902. Abottom layer of layout 8900 is shown in bottom layer view 8904. View8906 is a combination of top layer view 8902 and bottom layer view 8904.Mounting locations for each of high CCT LEDs 1-7 are provided adjacentmounting locations for one of low CCT LEDs 8-14 in view 8906. The highCCT LEDs are in series with current regulator Q1 and resistor R1 to formthe high CCT string. The low CCT LEDs are in series with currentregulator Q2 and resistor R2 to form the low CCT string.

The high CCT string runs from high voltage (“H”) power rail 8908 to lowvoltage (“L1”) power rail 8910. The low CCT string runs from highvoltage (“H”) power rail 8908 to low voltage (“L2”) power rail 8912.

Connector interfaces 8914 and 8916 include mounting locations forcontinuity with each of high voltage (“H”) power rail 8908, low voltage(“L1”) power rail 8910 and low voltage (“L2”) power rail 8912.

Break-away joints 8918, 8920, 8922 and 8924 are provided. Becauseadjacent sections are arranged in parallel, a section that is poweredvia a connector may be separated from an adjacent section without lossof functionality. Multiple adjacent sections may be powered via a singleconnector.

FIG. 90 shows board 8906 with surface mounted female connector block9002. Block 9002 includes five rows, 9004, 9006, 9008, 9010 and 9012 ofreceptacles configured to receive a pin from a corresponding maleconnector block (not shown). Block 9002 may be mounted at connectorinterface 8914. Thus, rows 9004 and 9012 may correspond to high voltage(“H”) power rail 8908; rows 9006 and 9010 may correspond to low voltage(“L1”) power rail 8910; and row 9008 may correspond to low voltage(“L2”) power rail 8912. Axis L₁₀ is a central axis of block 9002 and isnormal to face 9014 of board 8906. The operational electrical potentialsof the receptacles may be symmetrical under a 180 rotation about axisL₁₀. Therefore, a male connector block configured to couple to femaleblock 9002 can be coupled to in two orientations 180 apart withoutreversing polarity relative to female block 9002.

FIG. 91 shows schematic layout 9100. Layout 9100 may include fixture9102. Layout 9100 may include DC power supply 9104. Layout 9100 mayinclude power cable 9106 between power supply 9104 and fixture 9102.

Fixture 9102 may include connector block 9108. Connector block 9108 mayinclude one or more features in common with connector block 9108.

Power supply 9104 may be regulated to provide DC voltage V1. Fixture9102 may operate at DC voltage V₂. V₁ and V₂ may have a common ground.Fixture 9102 may include current-regulated strings such as 8602 and 8604of circuit 8600. Illustrative lengths L of cable 9106 between powersupply 9104 and connector block 9108 are set forth above. For any of thelengths, V₂ may be no less than 85% V₁, despite any line loss that maybe caused by cable 9106, and without any voltage boost between powersupply 9104 and connector block 9108.

FIGS. 92-98 show illustrative driving element 9201, fixture support9202, LED modules 9203, and module pressing buckles 9304. Drivingelement 9201 may have one or more features in common with circuit 8600.Fixture support 9202 may have one or more features in common withfixture support 800. LED modules 9203 may have one or more features incommon with section 8404. Fixture support 9202 may include mounting slot9505. An end of fixture support 9202 may be engaged by power inlet 9206.An end of fixture support 9202 may be engaged by tail cover 9307.Driving element 9201 and LED modules 9203 may be disposed in mountingslot 9505. Module pressing buckles 9304 may be disposed in mounting slot9505. Module pressing buckles 9304 may press and limit LED modules 9203.Power inlet 9206 may be in electrical communication with driving element9201. Driving element 9201 may be in electrical communication with LEDmodules 9203. When assembled, driving element 9201 and LED modules 9203may be disposed in mounting slot 9505, and power inlet 9206 and tailcover 9307 may be disposed at the head and tail ends of fixture support9202. Power inlet 9206 and tail cover 9307 may block the ends of fixturesupport 9202. Power inlet 9206 may be in electrical communication withdriving element 9201 to effect power supply connection. LED modules 9203may be press-fitted into mounting slot 9505 using module pressingbuckles 9304. Module pressing buckles 9304 may be lodged in mountingslot 9505 such that they stably press LED modules 9203 to prevent LEDmodules 9203 from loosening.

LED module 9203 may include cut-off hole groups 9408. Cut-off holegroups 9408 may be distributed at equal intervals along the length ofLED module 9203. Each cut-off hole group 9408 may include severalcut-off holes. Cut-off hole groups 9408 may be arranged for convenientlysevering LED modules 9203. A user may cut LED module 9203 by scissors toadjust the length of an LED module 9203 LED modules 9203 may thus beinstalled in fixture supports 9202 of different lengths.

A side of driving element 9201 may include driving buckle position 9509.Driving buckle position 9509 may abut an inner wall of mounting slot9505. Driving element 9201 may be press-fitted in mounting slot 9505.Driving buckle positions 9509 may abut, and may be fastened to, an innerwall of mounting slot 9505.

Module pressing buckle 9304 may include pressing element 9610. Sides ofpressing element 9610 may be provided with pressing buckle positions9611. Pressing buckle positions 9611 may abut inner wall of mountingslot 9505. A lower end surface of pressing element 9610 may abut thesurface of the LED module 9203. When module pressing buckle 9304 ismounted, it may be put into mounting slot 9505 from the upper end offixture support 9202; module pressing buckle 9304 may be placeddiagonally at a middle position of two light sources on LED module 9203at an angle of 59°; and module pressing buckle 9304 may be pressed byhands and rotated 59° (e.g., clockwise) to be perpendicular to the sidewall of the fixture support. This may facilitate the pressing bucklepositions 9611 to be buckled into the inner wall of the mounting slot9505.

Lower end surface of pressing element 9610 may be a horizontal surface.Lower end surface of pressing element 9610 may be a horizontal smoothsurface. This may reduce or avoid wear of LED module 9203 when modulepressing buckle 9304 presses LED module 9203.

Driving element 9201 may be provided with first electrical connector9312 at an end close to power inlet 9206. First electrical connector9312 may be electrically connected to power inlet 9206. First electricalconnector 9312 may be electrically connected to power inlet 9206 via afirst conductive pin 9315 or a wire. First conductive pin 9315 may bedirectly plugged in. The wire may be suitable for connection over alonger distance.

Driving element 9201 may include second electrical connector 9313 at anend away from the power inlet 9206. LED module 9203 may include providedthird electrical connectors 9314. Second electrical connector 9313 maybe electrically connected to third electrical connector 9314. Secondelectrical connector 9313 may be electrically connected to thirdelectrical connector 9314 via a second conductive pin 9316 or a wire.Second conductive pin 9316 may be directly plugged in. The wire may besuitable for connection over a longer distance.

Two adjacent LED modules 9203 may be connected via a conductive pin orwire.

Upper end surface of fixture support 9202 may include a clamping slot9517 and opening 9218. Opening 9218 may be in communication withclamping slot 9517. The lamp may include light-transmitting cover 9319.Sides of a lower end surface of light-transmitting cover 9319 may beprovided with clamping sheets 9820. Clamping sheets 9820 may be arrangedin clamping slot 9517. Light-transmitting cover 9319 may be used tocover opening 9218. Opening 9218 may be in communication with mountingslot 9505. This may facilitate installation of LED module 9203 and thedriving element 9201. Light-emitting cover 9819 may protect the LEDmodule 9203.

The lamp may include a hanging member such as 9221. Hanging member 9221may be respectively disposed on ends of the upper end surface of fixturesupport 9202. Hanging member 9221 may be used to hoist or suspendfixture support 9202.

All ranges and parameters disclosed herein shall be understood toencompass any and all subranges subsumed therein, every number betweenthe endpoints, and the endpoints. For example, a stated range of “1 to10” should be considered to include any and all subranges between (andinclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; thatis, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more (e.g. 1 to6.1), and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 2.3 to 9.4, 3to 8, 4 to 7), and finally to each number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and10 contained within the range.

Thus, apparatus and methods for fixtures, power and control of same havebeen provided. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that thepresent invention can be practiced by other than the described examples,which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than oflimitation. The present invention is limited only by the claims thatfollow.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for providing light, the apparatuscomprising: a housing; a light-emitting diode (“LED”) disposed in thehousing; a lens disposed in the housing; a ring that is configured to besupported by the housing at: a first user-selectable position relativeto the housing; a second user-selectable position relative to thehousing; and a third user-selectable position relative to the housingthat is continuously selectable between the first user-selectableposition and the second user-selectable position, wherein the ring isconfigured to be telescopically moved relative to the housing withoutchanging a distance between the LED and the lens.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein projecting the ring away from the housing, in operation,prevents light from the LED from illuminating outside a targeted volumeextending away from the housing.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising a base configured to dock to a fixture support; and a cordthat: has: a first end that is electrically terminated in the base; anda second end that is electrically terminated in the housing; and isconfigured to suspend the housing from the base; wherein the housing isconfigured to: engage the cord at a location along the cord between thefirst end and the second end to suspend the housing at the location; andstore a slack length of the cord in the housing.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 3 wherein: the cord defines a plurality of locations continuouslydistributed along the cord; and the housing is configured to engage thecord at any location in the plurality.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3wherein the housing is further configured to engage the cord bymechanical interference.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein a height isadjustable by manually withdrawing the cord from the housing.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 5 wherein a height is adjustable by manually pushingthe cord into the housing.
 8. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein thehousing includes a normally-closed gripper that is configured to: gripthe cord at the location; and relax in response to passage of the cordinto the housing.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the gripper isconfigured for manual: insertion of the cord into the housing; andwithdrawal of the cord from the housing.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8wherein the gripper comprises: a spring that is disposed coaxially aboutan axis of the cord; and bumpers supported by the spring; wherein:compression of the spring displaces the bumpers radially away from theaxis to release the cord; and urging of the cord into the housing causesthe compression.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein: under a firsttension from the housing, the bumpers engage the cord to suspend thehousing; and under a second tension from a user, the cord is slidableout of the housing against the bumpers.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the ring is configured to be moved between the positions withoutrotation about a central axis of the ring.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12wherein, at the positions, in operation, rotation of the ring changes abeam spread angle of light emitted from the LED.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein rotating the ring causes a linear displacement of thelens relative to the LED.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the ringis configured to be manually rotated by a user.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 13 further comprising a slotted bushing; wherein: the ring isconfigured to be moved relative to the bushing without being rotatedrelative to the bushing; and the bushing is: longitudinally fixedrelative to the housing; and rotatable relative to the housing.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 16 wherein rotation of the bushing changes a distancebetween the LED and the lens.
 18. The apparatus of claim 12 furthercomprising a base configured to dock to a fixture support; and a cordthat: has: a first end that is electrically terminated in the base; anda second end that is electrically terminated in the housing; and isconfigured to suspend the housing from the base; wherein the housing isconfigured to: engage the cord at a location along the cord between thefirst end and the second end to suspend the housing at the location; andstore a slack length of the cord in the housing.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 18 wherein: the cord defines a plurality of locations continuouslydistributed along the cord; and the housing is configured to engage thecord at any location in the plurality.
 20. The apparatus of claim 18wherein the housing is further configured to engage the cord bymechanical interference.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein a heightis adjustable by manually withdrawing the cord from the housing.
 22. Theapparatus of claim 20 wherein a height is adjustable by manually pushingthe cord into the housing.
 23. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein thehousing includes a normally-closed gripper that is configured to: gripthe cord at the location; and relax in response to passage of the cordinto the housing.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the gripper isconfigured for manual: insertion of the cord into the housing; andwithdrawal of the cord from the housing.
 25. The apparatus of claim 23wherein the gripper comprises: a spring that is disposed coaxially aboutan axis of the cord; and bumpers supported by the spring; wherein:compression of the spring displaces the bumpers radially away from theaxis to release the cord; and urging of the cord into the housing causesthe compression.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein: under a firsttension from the housing, the bumpers engage the cord to suspend thehousing; and under a second tension from a user, the cord is slidableout of the housing against the bumpers.
 27. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the ring is further configured to: nest in the housing; andtelescopically extend away from the housing.
 28. The apparatus of claim27 further comprising a base configured to dock to a fixture support;and a cord that: has: a first end that is electrically terminated in thebase; and a second end that is electrically terminated in the housing;and is configured to suspend the housing from the base; wherein thehousing is configured to: engage the cord at a location along the cordbetween the first end and the second end to suspend the housing at thelocation; and store a slack length of the cord in the housing.
 29. Theapparatus of claim 28 wherein: the cord defines a plurality of locationscontinuously distributed along the cord; and the housing is configuredto engage the cord at any location in the plurality.
 30. The apparatusof claim 28 wherein the housing is further configured to engage the cordby mechanical interference.
 31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein aheight is adjustable by manually withdrawing the cord from the housing.32. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein a height is adjustable by manuallypushing the cord into the housing.
 33. The apparatus of claim 28 whereinthe housing includes a normally-closed gripper that is configured to:grip the cord at the location; and relax in response to passage of thecord into the housing.
 34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the gripperis configured for manual: insertion of the cord into the housing; andwithdrawal of the cord from the housing.
 35. The apparatus of claim 33wherein the gripper comprises: a spring that is disposed coaxially aboutan axis of the cord; and bumpers supported by the spring; wherein:compression of the spring displaces the bumpers radially away from theaxis to release the cord; and urging of the cord into the housing causesthe compression.
 36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein: under a firsttension from the housing, the bumpers engage the cord to suspend thehousing; and under a second tension from a user, the cord is slidableout of the housing against the bumpers.